Raglan's Town2Surf cycleway soon to be completed after funding for final section secured

Five of the eight stages of the Town2Surf share path have already been completed. Pictured is the Marine Parade section. Photo / Supplied

Pedestrians and cyclists wanting to go from Raglan town centre to the beach will soon be able to do so safely after Waikato District Council secured funding for the final three stages of the Town2Surf shared cycle path.

The council successfully applied for $965,000 from the Government's Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF) which will help to build connections to the Poihākena Marae, Papakāinga development and Raglan West shop section.

The whole cost of the remaining sections is about $2 million, meaning the TIF funding will provide for half of the cost.

Once completed, the whole shared path will connect the Raglan town centre with Wainui Reserve via the pedestrian overbridge at Papahua Campground, the Marine Parade and Wainui Road. At the reserve, existing footpaths lead to Ngarunui beach and the popular Te Ara Kakariki mountain bike track.

Waikato District Council chief executive Gavin Ion says the project was great news for locals and visitors as it provides a safer route to the beach for walkers and cyclists.

"It also links in with the Raglan community's aspirations for their town, including the Local Area Blueprint, in which extending the local walking and cycling network was identified as a very high priority."

Before construction gets underway, the council needs to consult the community and sign a funding agreement. The shared path is expected to be completed within 18 months of the signing of the funding agreement.

The council says the Town2Surf cycleway will reduce traffic congestion on Wainui Road and free up parking space at the reserve and in town. The path is also said to improve the beach's accessibility for people who come to Raglan via public transport and make cycling and walking safer along the way due to the separation of the path and the road.

The Town2Surf shared cycle path work is part of a district-wide footpath improvement programme which includes a number of projects around the district over the next few years.

New connections are planned in Huntly, Tamahere and Tauwhare, Tuakau (River Road to Les Batkin Reserve) and Matangi.

The TIF has been set up to provide financial support for tourism-related infrastructure projects that support regions facing pressure from tourism growth.