Auckland Harbour Bridge SkyPath march: Police ready to take 'appropriate action'

Monday, 20 May 2019

Police said the people planning to march over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, would be doing so unlawfully.

Police have given a stern warning to people reportedly ready to march across Auckland's Harbour Bridge in support of the proposed SkyPath this weekend.

The protest, organised by the SkyPath Trust, was planned to take place about 9am on Sunday after a rally at Point Erin.

SkyPath Trust head Bevan Woodward said the march was planned for Aucklanders to show their support of SkyPath.

Organiser and spokesman Bevan Woodward said the rally was for Aucklanders to 'show NZTA that their behaviour in blocking SkyPath is enough … We've just had a guts-full'.

He said the morning would see supporters attempt to march from the Curran Street on-ramp in central Auckland to the top of the bridge and back.

The SkyPath is envisioned to allow pedestrian and bike access across the Harbour Bridge.

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Police, however, had other ideas, and said on Monday that anyone 'who does walk, march or cycle as indicated, without prior approval, will be doing so unlawfully'.

'Should an attempt be made to unlawfully cross the bridge at any time, police will have no alternative but to take appropriate action.'

Road Policing Manager, Inspector Scott Webb, said any pedestrian access across the bridge required approval from the NZTA first.

'Police have been in discussions with NZTA and to date no approval has been given for this event.'

He said without the relevant authorisation, any pedestrian crossing of the Harbour Bridge was unlawful.

Woodward said SkyPath supporters were rallying because 'it has become apparent that NZTA has no intention of delivering SkyPath'.

'In spite of the SkyPath design having been approved by NZTA, the resource consent issued and project funding granted by the Government, NZTA is now playing dirtier than ever.

'We want to give Aucklanders the opportunity to demonstrate their support … We hope that this will convince NZTA to get on with it!'

The police warning comes just comes two days after NZTA publicly slammed the proposed march.

NZTA General Manager System Design and Delivery Brett Gliddon said the agency was concerned that any march across the bridge would be potentially unsafe for those taking part.

At the time, Gliddon said NZTA had not received any request from the SkyPath Trust to manage traffic and safety next Saturday.

'This means that any walking or cycling over the Harbour Bridge would be unlawful and would become a police matter,' he said.

Woodward said he expected 5000 people to attend the rally, and proposed march on Sunday.

A row over SkyPath design rights between the SkyPath Trust and NZTA has contributed to delays in progress on the project.