Walkway a 'dream come true'

Barry Keon on the newly completed walkway. Photo / Greg Bowker.

Toe-nipping crabs are no longer a hazard for those taking the short-cut between Little Bucklands Beach and Half Moon Bay Marina.

A concrete path was yesterday poured to breach the gap in the waterfront promenade between the two east Auckland suburbs.

Seeing the job finished was a dream come true, said resident Barry Keon, who led a campaign to get $780,000 for the walking and cycling path.

"It has not cost ratepayers anything because it comes out of the old Manukau City Council's cash-in-lieu-of-reserve-contribution account, which is from property developers."

A dry shoreline link from Little Bucklands Beach to the marina hardstand had been wanted since the marina opened in the early 1970s.

"This will save Bucklands Beach people having to walk up the hill or catch a bus to get to the new marina shopping centre and ferry terminal."

It also links the coastline walkway from Panmure Bridge to the Mangemangeroa Reserve in Sommerville Rd, Whitford.