NZTA launches investigation into Auckland SkyPath proposal amid escalating row

Friday, 8 March 2019

A stoush is brewing over SkyPath, a planned pedestrian route across the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

An independent investigation has been launched into a planned footpath and cycleway across the Auckland Harbour Bridge following accusations of one party slowing down the process.

SkyPath, a planned pedestrian route from the North Shore to the city, has been in the pipeline for several years.

Now the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has accused SkyPath Trust, which designed the proposed pathway, of causing a delay.

It comes amid an escalating row between the two parties. Earlier in the week, NZTA board chairman Michael Stiassny wrote to the trust claiming it had not allowed its design plans to be reviewed.

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'As part of this process, the transport agency has sought to work with the SkyPath Trust, but the Trust has not yet allowed the transport agency to access or assess the necessary documentation,' he said.

'The transport agency has sought permission to engage with the consultants who designed SkyPath and this has not yet taken place. This has slowed the process considerably.'

SkyPath Trust fired back on Thursday, claiming Stiassny's assessment was 'completely inaccurate' and NZTA had had access to design plans for years.

Stiassny has now announced NZTA would be conducting an investigation into the matter as the information was contradictory to his understanding of the situation.

'I am deeply concerned with this situation and I have ordered an independent investigation to establish the facts once and for all,' he said.

SkyPath Trust's chair Christine Rose welcomed the investigation but hoped it would be over quickly.

'We take this investigation in good faith,' she said.

'It's a shame that it has come to this but we welcome the opportunity to progress the SkyPath project with NZTA for the benefit of all Aucklanders.'

SkyPath Trust project director Bevan Woodward said he hoped the investigation would be a breakthrough to enable Aucklanders to be walking and cycling across their bridge by 2021.

Documents viewed by Stuff support the notion NZTA had access to SkyPath Trust's work.

In 2011, architects wrote to the agency about it engaging them on a two-month study to determine the SkyPath Trust project's overall viability.

In 2013, an agency memo said the trust's concept had been tested by engineers and was feasible.

The $67 million SkyPath has been on the drawing board since marchers blocked the bridge in 2009 in protest at not being allowed to walk on it.

In February, SkyPath Trust accused NZTA of refusing to pay intellectual property rights and shutting down communication.

Stiassny said NZTA was willing to pay the property rights once the plans had been assessed.

'We are prepared to pay $1.6 million for the intellectual property but only if we can assess it and it is the best option available,' he said.

Funding for the project has been approved by the government, although a date for completion has not been set.

It remains unclear what the new investigation announced by Stiassny will cover.