A letter deal on the Port Hills tracks

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34047, 10 January 1976, Page 12

A letter deal on the Port Hills tracks

Two kinds of users of two tracks on the Port Hills often get in each other’s way. Walkers on the Rapaki Track or the Bridle Path are annoyed when noisy motor-cycles pass them, perhaps throwing up earth and gravel, and emitting disagreeable fumes. But walkers, in turn, may interfere with the clear runs enjoyed by motor-cyclists who use the tracks. The same features, unusual in Christchurch, which make the tracks on the hills attractive to walkers make them interesting to motor-cyclists. Room can surely be found on the hills for both groups to pursue the form of recreation they prefer, but they must be kept apart so that they do not get in each other’s way and on each other’s nerves.

Both the Rapaki Track and the Bridle Path are public roads. Use of them is governed by the laws and by-laws which govern the use of any public road in the Heathcote County or Lyttelton Borough. This means that both walkers and motor-cyclists are legally entitled to use the tracks. But walkers have special claims and interests which justify setting these two tracks aside for their exclusive use. Both tracks have historical importance as walking routes and both are easily accessible by public transport — an important advantage for walkers. The tracks are used bv motor-cyclists because they are, at present, the only really suitable hill tracks in the area. But other tracks would surely sen e the motor-cyclists, who obviously have the means to go further afield. And serious trail riders already find their sport elsewhere. The two tracks could be stopped as roads and declared tracks for pedestrians by special legislation. nr the Heathcote County Council and Lyttelton Borough Council could pass appropriate by-laws. If their value as walking tracks is to be preserved, they must be protected not only from motor-cyclists but also from the encroachment of houses. In 1969 the Regional Planning Authority suggested extending the area covered by the Summit Road Protection Act to include the land on each side of the two tracks. The suggestion was severely criticised at the time from man> quarters, but some form of protection so that the tracks pass for most of their lengths through undeveloped land is essential. If the Rapaki Track is to be fully enjoyed as a walking route, a continuation of the track would have to be formed down the Rapaki side of the hill. This would mean giving the public rights on Maori land, and this could be done onlv if it were in accord with the sentiments and wishes of the Maoris of Rapaki.

If the Raoaki Track and Bridle Path are to be closed to motor-cyclists, provision for them could fairly be made elsewhere on the Port Hills. Suitable trails could be formed on less frequented parts of the Port Hills. The Heathcote. Lvttelton. Mount Herbert. Christchurch, or Paparua Councils may be unwilling to meet the costs of forming tracks especially for motor-cyclists, but the expense need not be great. Any decisions would be best made as oart of a complete plan for the use nf the Port H'lls. In spite of the Regional Planning Authoritv’s efforts, no such scheme has been produced that is acceptable to all the local bodies now resnonsible for planning decisions. But many peoole will benefit if some promnt restraint is put on the motor-cx’clists. perhaps with an assurance of a trail to he formed elsewhere later Those w’ho upset the walkers now are. after all. only a very few, and not representative of motor-cyclists generally.