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A highly anticipated cycling trail from Dunedin to Mosgiel — through two old railway tunnels — is a vision now closer to realisation.
Dunedin city council members yesterday signalled they were prepared to back accelerated implementation of the entire project, assuming city residents are keen.
Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust chairman Gerard Hyland was appreciative, but cautioned, "We’re not quite there yet."
"It’s been a long road, or a long trail," he said.
Mr Hyland encouraged project advocates to make sure councillors knew of their support during public consultation.
Annual plan hearings will be held in May.
Trustee Kate Wilson cited a series of project benefits, including an improved environment for children to get outside and hit the trail.
The development would also end up linking the city with the Otago Central Rail Trail, she said.
If approved by the council and a subsidy from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is confirmed, a 15km cycle and walking trail will be created, using two railway tunnels built in the 1870s.
The Chain Hills and Caversham tunnels were redundant by 1911 and the vision includes reopening them for walkers, cyclists, scooter riders, commuters and tourists.
The price tag of $45.3million for a series of cycleway projects far exceeded initial cost estimates, forcing council members to prioritise.
They chose at an annual plan meeting yesterday to favour accelerated development of the trail, boosting the cycleways 10-year budget by $11.4million.
Projects that include filling in gaps in the city cycleway network would effectively be put on hold.
Councillors could have made the cycleways programme fit the original intended spend of $21.9million, but that would have resulted in a trail from Dunedin initially extending only as far as Abbotsford.
Advancing the cycleway in one go was more attractive to WKNZTA, councillors were told.
"Let’s keep the foot on the pedal," deputy mayor Christine Garey said.
Cr Rachel Elder, an advocate for the trail, said it scored highly on every criteria required of it for funding.
Cr Marie Laufiso said it was the council’s job to put in place infrastructure for the future.
Cr Lee Vandervis lamented the intention to spend more money on cycleways.
Several other councillors were happy to support development of a recreational asset.
Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins noted they were less keen to support improved cycling facilities in the central city.