Tunnels could stand in way of cycle track

Plans for a Canterbury cycleway from the mountains to the sea have hit an unlikely obstacle – railway tunnels.

Tunnels are usually an easy way through an obstacle, but Environment Canterbury (ECan) is concerned that for cyclists on a long ride they provide a tempting, deadly alternative.

Talks have begun on a possible cycleway from Arthur's Pass to the Pacific Ocean near the Waimakariri River mouth.

The proposal is for the route to closely follow the Midland Line railway from Arthur's Pass to north of Springfield before going cross-country to the Waimakariri Gorge and the Waimakariri River Regional Park, and then along the bank of the river to its mouth. The plan could form part of Prime Minister John Key's $50 million New Zealand Cycleway project.

ECan last week heard about progress on the Canterbury cycleway before the December 18 deadline for submitting a proposal for funding to the Ministry of Tourism.

ECan programme manager (transport) Robert Woods said in a report that there was considerable Canterbury support for the idea, although there were "certainly engineering challenges".

"KiwiRail have been especially supportive of the concept but note the need for particular attention to the safety of cyclists and walkers when adjacent to or crossing the railway," he said.

A meeting has been held at Flock Hill Station with interested parties to discuss the proposal. Among the perceived benefits were getting more people on bikes, providing more employment opportunities and greater investment in nearby towns, and giving a safer option for cyclists than State Highway 73.

The group also raised concerns. There were 16 tunnels on the line, five viaducts and about 100 bridges.

It was important to manage people around those structures as they created "opportunities to kill people", the group said.

There were particular concerns along the Staircase section of the line, which would be steep for cyclists, making it tempting to use tunnels.

Woods said yesterday that ECan would "never support a cycleway through a live tunnel".

There were more than 20 train passes a day and it was easy for people to be complacent.

Other issues included a lack of cellphone or other phone coverage in the area, a lack of drinking water, the rural fire risk, dangerous mountain weather and a lack of shelter.

Funding announcements for successful projects are due in the middle of next year, with construction to begin in the 2010-11 summer.

- © Fairfax NZ News