Auckland Transport media release

23 November 2016

A new connection for cyclists in Mount Roskill

A cycling and walking route opened today will connect Mt Roskill with the Manukau Harbour providing greater travel options for locals. The Mt Roskill Safe Route, opened by Transport Minister Simon Bridges and Mayor Phil Goff, will make it easier to walk and cycle throughout this part of Auckland. It is part of a route that will ultimately connect Auckland’s two harbours.

The new route runs from War Memorial Park, through Keith Hay Park, to Waikowhai Park on the shores of the Manukau Harbour. It includes shared paths for people to walk or cycle on, signalised crossings and traffic calming measures such as speed tables.

The most important benefit will be in enabling more local trips by bike or foot for people of all ages says Kathryn King, Auckland Transport’s Cycling, Walking and Safety manager.

“There are great schools, parks, local shops and community centres in Mt Roskill that people want to walk or cycle to. This route makes it so much easier and safer for local people to get around their community and beyond without using a car.”

The route is part of a growing network of cycleways throughout Auckland and the Puketapapa Local Board Greenways initiative. It connects with the shared path that runs along State Highway 20 to key employment areas in Onehunga and the airport.

To the north of the Mt Roskill Safe Route, people will ultimately be able to walk or cycle through to Hendon Park, Alan Wood Reserve, and onto the Waterview Shared Path, as well as the Northwestern Cycleway which connects with the city centre via the pink Lightpath. This route will be complete by the middle of next year when the Waterview Shared path will open.

Mayor, Phil Goff, says that the growing cycle network is a key component to improving Auckland’s transport network and allowing students to cycle safely to school.

“Providing safe walking and cycling paths like this provides people of all ages with greater travel options to get to schools, shops, parks or for recreation. This project will be transformative for the Mt Roskill community by improving access to the harbour and opening up some stunning greenways in Auckland’s isthmus,” he says.

The $4.9m project has local funding as well as funding from the Government through NZ Transport Agency and the Puketapapa Local Board.

Auckland Transport is working with project partners Auckland Council and the Government through the NZ Transport Agency on a $200m programme of cycle improvements in Auckland from 2015 to 2018.

For more on Cycling and Walking: https://at.govt.nz/cycling-walking/

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