9 Aug 2024

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Northwood and Belfast are now connected to Riccarton and the Central City by a continuous 7.5km of shared path cycleway.

The northern end of the Puari ki Pū-Harakeke-nui Northern Line Cycleway was officially opened this morning by Acting Mayor Pauline Cotter who cut the ribbon at Barnes Reserve in Casebrook.

The occasion was marked by members of the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central and Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood community boards, Rūnanga representatives, pupils from Te Kura o Matarangi Northcote School, cycling groups, local residents and businesses.

Downer NZ constructed new shared path, north and south of Barnes Reserve, which completes section 2. The path through the reserve was completed in 2021 by Corde, along with the northernmost section of the cycleway along Main North Road, from the railway to Northwood Boulevard. The intersection of Styx Mill and Main North roads was also upgraded by Isaac Construction as part of the works.

The new sections extend the path along the Northern Line rail corridor from Barnes Road to Main North Road and south of Sturrocks Road to Tuckers Road. From there, the existing path takes cyclists and pedestrians to Kilmarnock Street in Riccarton. 

The Acting Mayor said the completion of section 2 was “an exciting milestone for Ōtautahi – especially the northern suburbs, as it provides great connection to schools, shops, parks and two other major cycle routes, the citybound Papanui Parallel and the Uni-Cycle, which links to the University of Canterbury.

“The project has been a long time in the making, and the result is a wonderful asset for the local community and an exciting addition to the city’s growing cycleway infrastructure, which will be well used," Acting Mayor Cotter said. 

Due to the cycleway’s location along the rail corridor, the Council worked with KiwiRail on the design and delivery of the project, which included renewal works and safety upgrades at the railway level crossings on Barnes, Sturrocks and Tuckers roads.  

The opening event coincided with Rail Safety Week, an annual campaign that raises awareness about staying safe around railway tracks and trains.  

The 2.4km section 2 of the Northern Line Cycleway has been fully funded by Rau Paenga, the Crown infrastructure agency, through its Shovel Ready programme.

“We’re very grateful for their support, which has made this possible,” Acting Mayor Cotter said. 

Check out the full network of Major Cycle Routes and other Council cycleways with the recently updated bike map.