Little River Rail Trail – Consultation over route into Little River

CCC are consulting over two options for the final section of the Little River Rail Trail into the old Little River railway station. One route (Option 1) follows on from the existing temporary trail which ends at Kinloch Road, and runs parallel to and on the west side of the State Highway (SH) into Little River with a crossing over the SH to the station. Option 2 involves an underpass of the SH near the Little River hotel, and then pretty much follows the old railway formation east of the SH through to the Station. The Rail Trail trust favour Option 2, the Community Board like Option 1.

Option 2 appears to have several advantages: it removes the need for a crossing over the SH and has greater separation from the SH than the existing section of Option 1, and it more or less follows the historic line of the old railway. However, retention of the existing path to Kinloch Road would be a good idea if Option 2 proceeds as would give access from the Rail Trail to Kinloch Rd for those cyclists venturing up to Bossu Rd via Reynolds Valley, and/ or doing the Birdlings Flat circuit.

The council leaflet with a plan of the two options is attached below.