Minister goes to constituents over SkyPath

Bevan Woodward says there is huge support for the cycling and walkway project. Photo / Greg Bowker

Northcote MP Jonathan Coleman has surveyed his constituents for views on the SkyPath proposed to run beneath the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

A spokeswoman for the Sport and Recreation Minister said that as part of an annual postal survey sent to 11,000 people, he asked whether they supported a cycle and walkway under the bridge - the SkyPath concept.

In response, 126 people said more information was required, 454 supported the concept and 217 were opposed. The survey was done two years ago.

Bevan Woodward, SkyPath Harbour Bridge Pathway Trust trustee and project director, wants Coleman to say whether he is for or against SkyPath.

But Coleman will only say that in principle he is in favour of walking and cycling across the harbour bridge.

He will not give his precise views of SkyPath.

Woodward said Coleman's findings matched his own.

"This fits our research. There is massive support from Aucklanders and it's hard to believe that the local representative is sitting on the fence," he said.

An Auckland Council spokesman said submissions on the project would be made public this week. More than 10,000 were received, many from youth lobby group Generation Zero which backs the scheme.

However, Northcote resident Alex Lee has concerns. "I would love to see the SkyPath, and would use it a couple of times and then have to pick up the mess of noise and rubbish and lack of privacy the rest of the year," Lee said.

"The projected number of 13,000 people a day - where will these comes from? There are perhaps eight to 10 cyclists on the Northcote Point ferry each day and perhaps the same again disembarking at Birkenhead Pt. Yes once the Skypath was in place then this could triple. Let's be generous and say 100 per day in each direction."

Woodward said Auckland councillors had agreed to continue investigating the proposed funding arrangements and Mayor Len Brown last year made SkyPath part of his top six strategic goals.