From the Mountains to the Sea: Canterbury Cycleway
Interesting press release from the Environment Canterbury Chairman. If you want to contact him about the proposal his email address is kerry [dot] burke [at] ecan [dot] govt [dot] nz
May 19, 2009
MEDIA STATEMENT
From the Mountains to the Sea: A Canterbury Cycleway
Statement from: Hon. Sir Kerry Burke, Chairman, Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury)
Canterbury has an opportunity to tap into the Prime Minister’s request for responses from the regions for potential “great ride” cycleway developments.
Canterbury Regional Council chairman, Sir Kerry Burke, is suggesting to colleagues and to the Prime Minister a collaborative effort from interested parties to develop a “Mountains to Sea” cycleway, from Arthur’s Pass to the Waimakariri River mouth
“Travellers could take their bikes on the train from Addington to Arthur’s Pass and then cycle back to Christchurch. This could be the greatest of the “great rides” being sought by the Prime Minister,” said Sir Kerry.
“I think that the most attractive route would be to broadly follow the Midland railway line, with some obvious detours for tunnels and river crossings.
“It would have all of the fantastic upper Waimakariri scenery that has made the Tranz Alpine one of the world’s great rail journeys and would link up with our Regional Park at the Waimakariri Gorge. Cycle trails would then run through the 15,000 hectare park beside the river, including atop stopbanks, to finish near the coast.
“Plainly we’re not talking about something that would be done in a short time frame, but if we start now with the vision and then work with the stakeholders, including the Crown, Kiwirail, the University of Canterbury and its lessees and private landowners, we can build a wonderful asset for future generations.
“Tourists returning from the West Coast could also alight at Arthurs Pass and cycle back along the Waimakariri River. Either way, the spectacular scenery of the Waimakariri gorge, the inland basins and the river’s passage across the Plains, could easily make this a world-famous journey,” said Sir Kerry.
“The route could also potentially link with the other routes such as the Motukarara end of the Little River Rail Trail, or to proposed cycle routes to the north of the Waimakariri or back into the city.
“The existing Midland line rail corridor is wider than simply the line itself, but understandably Kiwirail would want to ensure that any cycle route near the rail line is not creating any potential safety issues for trains, cyclists or cars at level crossings. These are matters to discuss,” said Sir Kerry.
The University of Canterbury has a field station at Cass and leases in perpetuity high country stations such as Grasmere, Craigieburn and Flock Hill. Some other areas of land may also be freehold or part of the DOC estate and investigations would have to be made with those land managers to advance a safe cycle route which did not compromise their own aims.
“Considerable tourism activities occur over this inland basin area already, but a mountains-to-sea cycleway would be a wonderful new development, which would also provide further business opportunities for neighbouring towns and for Kiwirail.
“This project could be rolled out in sections, with parts of it opened to cyclists as they become available. That way, cyclists who are prepared to cycle along the state highway could combine the two. But the aim would be to ultimately have a cycleway for walkers and cyclists separate from the state highway to attract family groups and as wide a range of cycling abilities as possible.
“The Prime Minister, having secured new funding for cycleway development, needs to have genuine possibilities presented to him, projects that will make a difference and gain world reputations. There can be few more dramatic routes available for development than this suggestion.
“One thing is very clear, in my opinion: Canterbury needs to front foot the national cycleway network and this proposal is designed to encourage some creative and entrepreneurial thinking which would bring more people in touch with a spectacular part of our region and benefit local businesses at the same time,” said Sir Kerry.
ENDS
Lets make sure that we
Lets make sure that we discuss this project either at the AGM or the next Spokes meeting so that we can establish a position and signal our views on it. CAN has already indicated their support for the national cycleways concept and the proposed funding of $50 million. I certainly think Sir Kerrys idea has merit, but a lot of planning work will be required before a final project sees the light of day, and we should be involved in that.
I would support that idea
I would support that idea but see a cycle link to the north to at least Chaneys following the railway line, from the the existing cycleway and also back down to Addington as a higher priority?
Keith Turner
I agree, although the
I agree, although the proposal might provide a leg up for that part part of the railway path. Michael F is certainly keen to push the rail path through to Waimakariri bridge.
Any path up the river would need to be adequately surfaced I think - I've ridden the stopbanks out that way quite a few times, but they are pretty hard work due to the quantity and size of the shingle on the tracks. I recently rode part of a 90km long rail trail in Australia and that was sealed all the way. I think for long distance paths this is probably the way to go - it caters for all types of users, and means that there doesn't need to be continuous surface maintenance. Plus its faster which would probably be a good thing for the stretch down the plains.