Cycle path dispute 'makes mountain out of molehill'

By MATHEW DEARNALEY

Cyclists are dismayed at Auckland Regional Council and Conservation Department opposition to a cycleway on Mt Roskill, saying it will barely be noticeable above a new four-lane motorway.

The regional council's strategic policy committee has accepted staff advice that the proposed cycle and pedestrian route, requiring extra excavation on the northern slope of the volcanic cone, would be inconsistent with protecting significant geological values.

Both it and the Conservation Department are asking the Auckland City Council to consider another route for the Mt Roskill sector of a 12km cycleway to be built from Southdown to New Windsor.

Transit NZ, although not directly opposing the plan for a 2m to 3m-wide passage along the volcano, is reminding the council of its work with the Auckland Volcanic Cones Society to ensure the battered descent above the motorway reflects Mt Roskill's natural slope.

Society chairman John Street has accused the council of perpetuating a long-standing policy of degrading the city's cones with infrastructure.

"The society strongly asserts that the cone's heritage qualities will be devalued and compromised by this proposed cycleway development," he said.

But Cycle Action Auckland spokesman John Gregory said the cycleway would simply be a development of an existing footpath close to the base of the volcano but above the motorway.

He said it would barely be seen past the fence Transit must erect anyway between the motorway and volcano.

It would be a minor alteration compared with previous modifications to the cone and the motorway extension, he said.

Transit wants to start building the motorway from Hillsborough Rd to Maioro Rd, New Windsor, this summer.

"It is quite misleading to say the cycleway will be a blot on the landscape," Mr Gregory said. "It's making a mountain out of a molehill."