Labour to fund SkyPath cycleway across Auckland Harbour Bridge

Name: Labour to fund Skypath to the tune of $30 million
Uploaded: 2017-08-25T15:00:20+12:00
Description: Labour will put up $30 million for Skypath and if it costs more than that they will approach council and other partners and consider a toll on overseas tourists. Wood says Skypath will be a toll free cycle path/walkway across the Auckland Harbour Bridge. / NZN Video

By Bernard Orsman

Auckland Reporter·NZ Herald·

25 Aug, 2017 12:30 AM2 mins to read

Labour will put up $30 million for Skypath and if it costs more than that they will approach council and other partners and consider a toll on overseas tourists. Wood says Skypath will be a toll free cycle path/walkway across the Auckland Harbour Bridge. / NZN Video

Labour is promising up to $30 million to build the Skypath shared cycle and walking path over the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

The commitment is part of Labour's walking and cycle policy announced in Auckland today.

The SkyPath project has had a series of setbacks since it got resource consent last November, including Downer Construction pulling out from building the path in February and the SkyPath Trust withdrawing support last month from the public-private partnership (PPP) to build and toll it.

Auckland Council is pushing ahead with the PPP with its partner, Wellington-based investment firm Morrison & Co, and going out for tender for a new builder.

Labour's transport spokesman Michael Wood said the walking and cycling shared path spanning the harbour will create a step-change in walking and cycling accessibility for Auckland.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges told the Herald last month that if the project is technically feasible and supported by a sound business case it could be considered as part of a future Urban Cycleways Programme.

He was happy for the project to proceed as a PPP.

SkyPath trustee Bevan Woodward has called the PPP a dreadful deal for Aucklanders and says the SkyPath could be built by the Government as a toll-free path at no cost to ratepayers.

Labour has promised to extend the current Urban Cycleways Fund for another three years by committing another $100m for modern cycleways, separated from traffic.

Labour will also set up a new "Active Neighbourhoods" fund for small community projects to encourage cycling and walking.