Walking and cycle trails connect Upper Hutt to great outdoors

Upper Hutt City Council has received approval from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to fund the development of new and improved cycle ways and walking paths across the city.

The $4.2 million commitment from Upper Hutt City Council and NZTA creates many new options for walkers and cyclists, with a sealed trail along the stop bank from Moonshine Park to the city centre (almost 2.85 kilometres long), a cycle and walking path from Silverstream to the city centre that runs along the rail corridor, a trail from the Silverstream Station to the Eastern Hutt Road, and a subway under State Highway 2 that links Totara Park to the city. These trails will not only enhance the experience for recreational walkers and cyclists, but offer safer commuter linkage between Upper Hutt’s residential areas and its city centre.

Upper Hutt City Council Chief Executive Chris Upton explains “Upper Hutt is known as the gateway to the great outdoors and we want to provide as many opportunities as possible for people to get out and enjoy our scenic playground.

“Many in our community will benefit from these projects. Providing safer commuter networks and more options for recreational walkers and cyclists is a priority of Council and we are fortunate that NZTA have approved the funding to allow us to deliver on this.

“The recently sealed stop bank trail, connecting Moonshine Road to Gibbons Street has been an instant success and is already in use by many, particularly now that the days are getting longer and warmer. We are expecting that the Silverstream to city railway corridor trail will be even more popular and will become a practical alternative for both commuters and recreational users.”

Contractors, Dews Construction are in the final stages of completing the Moonshine Road to city stop bank trail project, with safety measures still to be installed for the crossings. The next project to be undertaken will be the Silverstream to city railway corridor trail, which is expected to be completed in 2016.

5th February 2014 - CYCLE TRAILS MAKING POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE NEW ZEALAND ECONOMY