Coastal Pathway set to bring buzz to Redcliffs

The Bay Harbour News 9th September 2015

Together with the improvement of the roading and traffic management and the opening of the new supermarket, the establishment of the Christchurch Coastal Pathway promises to enhance and enliven the Redcliffs Village environment.

What began two years ago as an idea to create an amenity that would allow Christchurch residents and visitors to get maximum enjoyment from the coastal area between Ferrymead and Scarborough is now about a third of the way towards completion.

After presenting their initial ideas to the community the Christchurch Coastal Pathway Group (CCPG), which launched the project, revised the design in response to public submissions and feedback from consultation on the draft Main Road Master Plan. The city council approved the amended plan and in November 2013 adopted a Memorandum of Understanding with the CCPG detailing their respective areas of responsibility for the project.

Council funding to the tune of $9.9 million for the project as part of the city’s Three Year Plan is helping the 6.5-kilometre multi-function pathway to become a reality and provide an exciting draw card to this beautiful sector of Christchurch.

Other funding is coming from various trusts and service groups and additional fundraising drives will be undertaken within the local community as the pathway progresses, CCPG project and funding manager, Liz Studholme says. The total cost will be $25 million.

Construction company Fulton Hogan has also played a significant role in the project. As part of its work rebuilding the causeway and widening the road for the Main Road three-laning project the company carried out $250,000 worth of work on the formation of the Coastal Pathway from Scott Park at the foot of St Andrews Hill to the eastern end of the causeway. The completion of this section of the Coastal Pathway was celebrated at an official opening event last Friday.

Further plans for this section include building a viewing platform and shelter commemorating the historic Morton’s Jetty near The Brae, Ms Studholme says. Built in 1921, the jetty was destroyed in the Wahine storm of April 1968.

“We don’t want to clutter the views of the estuary, though.”

The estuary is home to a wide range of birdlife species and the CCPG is working with the Ihutai Trust, who are also undertaking plant restoration to mitigate the effects of the reclamation work being carried out by SCIRT, Ms Studholme says. With the restoration of the habitat it is hoped the water quality of the estuary can be restored to its original state, an issue that is of great concern to Ngai Tahu, she says.

Lookouts are also planned for the causeway, where walkers and cyclists can pause for a while to enjoy the beauty of this unique landscape. They will feature a platform over the water and a shelter or ‘rain cape’ based on the traditional Maori pake. It is hoped corporate funding can be sourced for these and other seating areas along the pathway, Ms Studholme says.

“There’s so much history along the whole pathway and we plan to install signage, sculptures and incorporate story telling, potentially with audio access via an app.”

The next section of the Coastal Pathway to be developed will be along Beachville Road, where it will include a future bike and scooter skills park for small children adjacent to the pathway. From Beachville Road the course of the pathway will be through Redcliffs Village, where users will have the opportunity to shop or take a coffee break, Ms Studholme says. “It will bring life to Redcliffs.”

The short section from Redcliffs Village to to the stone tram stop building in Monck’s Bay is already in place, having been installed as part of the recent repairs to Main Road.

At this stage the council says the containers that were placed along the section of Main Road to Shag Rock Reserve (Peacocks Gallop) will need to remain at the Deans Head Corner and Clifton Hill end of the reserve until land remediation works at these sites is undertaken as part of the Sumner-Lyttelton Corridor road repair programme.

“We’re hoping that this will be more reason for financial assistance from the council for the Coastal Pathway, as with trucks using the road it won’t be safe for cyclists,” Ms Studholme says.

The pathway will continue through into Sumner, along The Esplanade and ending at Scarborough. Completion is expected in 3 to 5 years.

Published on Friday, September 11th, 2015, under News, Uncategorized