There is a "hell of a lot" of support out there for the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, says trail trust chairman Stephen Jeffery.
Construction of the 34km trail, from Alexandra to the Roxburgh dam, began in November and Mr Jeffery was hopeful two sections of the trail would be finished by the end of this year.
He was disappointed the trail work had generated some negative publicity.
"Despite what you might think, the trail has a lot of backers. There's a hell of a lot of support for it, and there's a bit of a buzz in the [Teviot] valley now work's started on the trail."
The trust well knew of the concerns of trail opposers.
"We're doing what we can to address those concerns, as best we can, with the tools we have available to us, but at the end of the day, some things are beyond us to change."
Construction began on the first 10km, from Alexandra to Flat Top Hill, in November. Tendering for the 10km section from the Roxburgh dam towards Alexandra should be under way by the middle of this year, Mr Jeffery said.
"We're still pretty hopeful by the end of this year, those two sections will be completed."
Negotiations are still under way with two pastoral lessees in the middle section of the trail.
One family in that section had earlier refused access over their land and the trust said it would transport cyclists by boat past that section.
Mr Jeffery hoped the first section of the trail, roughly 1km, from Alexandra towards the gorge, would be completed soon and open for the public to view.
Last month, Bruce and Leigh Johnston set up a protest tent for a day, to block the path of the trail on the marginal strip in front of their property, about 1.5km from Alexandra, after concerns about the impact construction work was having on their land.
They removed the tent after entering further negotiations with the trust.
Mr Jeffery declined to comment on how talks were going with the Johnstons.
Approached for his comments, Mr Johnston said he and his wife were "working positively" with the trust.
"Talks between us and the trust are still at a crucial stage, regarding the trail width, alignment and stability. Until those are resolved, there's been an understanding with the trust and the contractor that no work will be carried out beside or on our property," Mr Johnston said.
The Roxburgh Gorge trail is one of the 18 which make up the New Zealand Cycle Trail project.
It will cost about $3.4 million and the Government has donated $2 million.
Mr Jeffery said the trust was, likethe Clutha Gold trust, seeking outside finance to cover the difference between the Government funding and the cost of the project.
"We've had preliminary talks with some other funders about the project."
There was no "pressure" on the trail trust to use all the Government funding by the middle of this year, he said.
"Two stages of our trail will have tenders let by then. The trust will be able to show we've met their requirements for those two sections to get it off the ground."
Lake Roxburgh businessman Phil Winterbottom said many residents and businesspeople were pleased work was under way on both the Clutha Gold and the Roxburgh Gorge trails.
"I'm sure they're something that, two or three years on, will make the [Teviot] valley a different place. Look what the [Otago Central] Rail Trail's done for the towns along its route. We're ready for that to happen and will embrace it. By next summer, we could have two cycle trails on our doorstep," he said.
The Roxburgh Gorge Trail will link to the Clutha Gold Trail.
They are expected to generate 70 jobs and $2.5 million annually within five years of completion.
Roxburgh Gorge Trail
- 34km, from Alexandra to Roxburgh dam.
- $3.4 million to build, $2 million from Government
- Follows true right side of the Clutha.
- Work on first 10km under way.
