MPs discuss cycle trail feasibility study

The case for funding a study into the feasibility of turning the Napier-Gisborne rail link into a cycling trail has been put before Parliament's Transport and Industrial Relations Committee.

Havelock North man Malcolm Eves, of Good Fun Bike Rides, put his argument in support of a feasibility study to the committee via a conference call with Wellington on Thursday.

In July, Parliament received a petition from Mr Eves, with 1808 signatures, asking it to "inquire into the feasibility of developing a cycle pathway using the existing railway corridor between Napier and Gisborne".

Mr Eves said yesterday he believed his phone submission, a follow-up to the petition, had been well received and he would wait to hear back from it before deciding what action to take next.

"All we're wanting is to get funding for a decent report on what the options are for a cycleway," he said.

The Napier-Gisborne line has been mothballed since December 2012 and debate has been ongoing over whether it should be reopened as an alternative freight option to road transport, left unused, or converted to another use such as a tourist cycling trail.

The government insists the rail line is uneconomic while others, such as Hawke's Bay Regional Council and Napier Labour MP Stuart Nash, want it reopened.

Mr Eves' submission to the committee came two days after regional leaders met in Wairoa and agreed to support a move by the regional council to secure a lease on the rail corridor.

Following the meeting between Napier Mayor Bill Dalton, Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon, Wairoa Mayor Craig Little and Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule, Regional Council Chairman Fenton Wilson said he and the other leaders "all support the process to secure access to the rail corridor, whatever its use, as soon as possible".

Earlier in the year the regional council considered investing almost $5.5 million to re-establish the rail link through a proposed partnership with the private sector.

The council remains interested in the plan, but has been stonewalled by central government which said it would not spend money repairing the line.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee's stance was that the Government would not invest in the line because the rail route was not economic.

Tukituki MP Craig Foss said yesterday the Government's position had not changed under new Transport Minister Simon Bridges.

Mr Foss, who has been supportive of the cycle trail feasibility study idea, said the outcome of this week's meeting of the mayors was positive because it seemed to indicate they wanted to look at all options for the corridor, including alternatives to rail restoration.

The chair of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee, National MP Jonathan Young, could not be reached for comment yesterday, but Mr Foss said it was likely the committee would ask officials for more information and it was possible it could progress the issue by next month.

Mr Eves said he would be an "enthusiastic supporter" of re-establishing the rail link if he thought it could be profitable, but given that did not appear to be the case, rather than let it decay, the option of turning it into a cycling tourism destination should be explored.

"It could be a tremendous tourist venture throughout the East Coast and one which would provide employment and jobs where none exist right now. It's a shame to have this link sitting there idol when there are potential uses for it."