A long-awaited cycle trail to link Roxburgh with the Lake Roxburgh Hydro Village is almost a reality.
Roxburgh Community Board member Ray Gunn said the approximately 5km trail, known as the Coal Creek Cycle Trail, would link up with the concrete footpath that ran from Roxburgh almost halfway to the hydro village.
The new trail would run beside State Highway 8.
The idea was initially sparked by safety concerns for children biking to and from school along the highway but would also create a nice ''ride around the block'', linking with the Clutha Gold Trail on the opposite side of the river.
It could also link into the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, which starts at the hydro dam.
The new path will be gravelled, similar to the Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold trials, and would be funded by community fundraising efforts.
The cost and possible construction dates were not yet known.
The trust originally thought the trail could be constructed on top of the pipeline which now pumps treated water from Roxburgh to the hydro village.
Mr Gunn said it had seemed like a good idea because the machinery was already there but a shortage of road reserve meant there just was not enough room.
The pipeline is on the opposite side of the highway to where the trail will be constructed.
