Transport advocate says SkyPath news 'huge' for Auckland

Thursday, 3 November 2016

Construction on the SkyPath pedestrian and cycleway should begin in mid-2017 after the Environment Court gave it the green light.

A transport advocate is delighted that the SkyPath over the Auckland Harbour Bridge has passed its final legal hurdle.

Environment Court principal Judge Newhook found in favour of Auckland Council's decision to grant resource consent for the walking and cycling route on Wednesday, following appeals by a North Shore residents' group.

Matt Lowrie, editor of New Zealand's Transport Blog, said it was a fantastic outcome.

'It's a really big missing link, there are not many cities in the world where you can't walk and cycle across key bridges like this,' he said.

* Residents' appeal against Auckland's SkyPath hangs on technical definition

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* Auckland Council vote 'yes' on [SkyPath

](http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/82334719/Auckland-Council-vote-yes-on-SkyPath)* Anti-SkyPath group claims there could be 'human crushes' on cycleway**

'It'll be huge for those who live on the North Shore who might want to ride to work.

'Not everyone is going to do it of course, but a lot of people will want to.'

Lowrie said it would also be 'very popular' for tourists.

'The views from the bridge, over the harbour and over the city are fantastic. Stopping and enjoying those will be a really popular and impressive thing to do.'

The Northcote Point Heritage Preservation Society objected to SkyPath's resource consent, claiming its patronage numbers and opening hours were unreasonable for residents of the suburban streets where it would exit.

But Lowrie said that argument had no merit.

'It's ridiculous that a walking and cycling route would have 'disastrous impacts on the community' when they've got an eight-lane motorway bridge over the top of their heads - their claims don't stack up.'

SkyPath Trust project director Bevan Woodward said were now no further legal barriers to stop SkyPath being built.

'We're really excited, this is a very significant step forward.'

Woodward said, all things going well, the SkyPath Trust would be looking to begin construction in mid-2017, with completion due 10 months later.

The Northcote Point Heritage Preservation Society refused to comment when contacted.