Work on new cycleway to start

20 March 2015

Leamington residents will soon be able to enjoy their local' cycleway and walkway.

Construction will begin shortly on a new 3km Leamington section of the Cambridge town belt cycleway. When finished, the cycleway/walkway will link the whole of Cambridge.

Waipa District Council recently completed the 3.5km section of the town belt cycleway between Hamilton Road to Watkins Road in Cambridge East. That section was built largely from funds raised by former Olympic cyclist and Cambridge resident Sarah Ulmer.

The new Leamington section will take 10 - 12 weeks to complete depending on weather with work likely to start in April. It will go from the corner of Browning and Carlyle Streets and follow the town belt along Carlyle Street, Lamb Street and through to Shelley Street, along the back of properties. Residents whose properties border the new section received letters this week, advising them work would start shortly.

The Leamington section has been funded by Waipa District Council and is likely to cost around $90,000 - $100,000. It will eventually include a 250m floating boardwalk between Shelley Street and Rowling Place to provide access over the Shelley St wetland.

In its draft 10-Year Plan consultation document, the council is proposing to spend $1.2 million on the district's cycleways over the next decade. The council has indicated its favoured option is to fund a new 4km, 3-metre wide concrete cycleway from Te Awamutu to Kihikihi.

More than 40 submissions on the draft plan, include proposed spending on cycleways, have already been received by the council. The plan is available on line at www.futurewaipa.co.nz. Submissions close on April 13.

Media enquiries, contact Jeanette Tyrrell (on behalf of council) 027 507 7599.