Eden Park Trust abandons walkway

Plans for an Eden Park bridge to carry thousands of rugby fans into the stadium during next year's British Lions tour have been shelved after failing to get support.

The $6.6 million project would have seen a pedestrian overbridge built between Eden Park and Kingsland railway station.

But the Eden Park Trust Board, which was behind the plans, is washing its hands of the project after Auckland city council refused to grant key consents because of a lack of community consultation.

Chief executive John Alexander said the board intended to "transfer its role as sponsor" to the newly formed Auckland Regional Transport Authority.

But the new transport authority said yesterday it had heard nothing of the plan.

Mr Alexander's board had hoped the bridge could be built in time for the Lions tour in July when 8000 overseas visitors are expected to descend on the stadium.

"However, the process required time to gain the necessary support and we are now aware that ... the bridge cannot be completed before the Lions tour," Mr Alexander said.

The board, which has spent about $1 million on the project, became involved because of the cross-over period as ARTA took over from Auckland Regional Transport Network, Mr Alexander said.

It would now be handed back to its "natural regional owner".

Eleanor Trout, general rail manager for ARTA, said: "If they've proposed to do that they've not formally advised us."

A formal proposal would need to be given to ARTA before any transfer of responsibility could take place.

In addition, $4 million was already being spent on a revamp of the railway station and tracks, which included a pedestrian footbridge.

"We would have to evaluate the overbridge against other priorities for the year," said Ms Trout.

Mr Alexander remained positive that the bridge, between the railway station and Walters Rd, could be built one day.

But he said the board would work on traffic management plans that would allow an increase in the number of buses to bring fans to the stadium.