Connecting walkway

Press, 28 November 1979, Page 13

Connecting walkway

A walkway connecting Kaiapoi with Kairaki will be opened this Sunday, by the Canterbury District Walkway Committee. An official opening by the Minister of Housing and Rangiora member (Mr Quigley) will be held near the rear of the Kaiapoi post office, Charles Street, at 1.30 p.m. The 5 km walkway follows the left stopbank of the Kaiapoi River ar.d lower Waimakariri River along an existing track used by the North Canterbury : Catchment Board to service the fLjdbanks. In the next financial year, Saltwater Creek will

be bridged. In the meanbridge, return to the time, walkway users will cross over the road marked track then cross Featherstone Avenue for the final section through the cleared scrub to the Pegasus Surf Club patrolled swimming area. The walkway’s cost will be met by the Walkways Commission. The catchment board has approved the scheme, subject to provision being made for continued access by the board and responsibility for any damage to stopbanks or floodgates being accepted by the committee.

The Kaiapoi Borough Council has agreed to administer and maintain the walkway. The three landowners whose properties are crossed by the walkway had been particularly helpful and given willing co-operation, says the commission’s field officer (Mr B. Arnold). After the opening, it is hoped that many will decide to do the walk. If some do not wish to spend another hour on a return walk, the Kaiapoi Tramping Club is planning to have transport available after light refreshments at the beach.