22 June

Latest stage completed in the Renwick-to-river cycle track

The latest addition to the district’s cycle network is a path which will give cyclists access to the Wairau River reserve and the Conders Bend mountain bike park at the edge of Renwick.

The new section of the Renwick-to-River trail is a 500m long, 2m wide ‘off-road’ path running parallel to SH6 from Rapaura Road to Newman’s Road and then under the Wairau Bridge to the bike track.

It’s the second stage of Renwick’s cycling route which follows the quieter side streets of Renwick to Blicks Road, and then goes ‘off road’ through the Forrest Estate winery, crossing Foxes Island Road to reach this newly completed section of pathway.

The Renwick Smart & Connected Bike Walk Working Group has overseen the completion of this second stage of the cycleway and Renwick councillor Cynthia Brooks congratulated the working group for its efforts in bringing so many people together to make the concept a reality.

Working Group spokesman Steve Hill says the aim was to provide a safe, family-friendly cycling, walking and jogging pathway to the popular river reserve area at the Wairau Bridge.

“It’s a safe path for joggers, cyclists and walkers including family groups with prams or pushchairs, giving them all good access to three important recreational spots at the river; the mountain bike park, the riverside reserve area where people fish, swim, kayak, raft and picnic, and the walking tracks along the Wairau River network of stopbanks.”

The first stage of the Renwick-to-river pathway had already proved its value, constantly used over the summer by both the local community and visiting tourists, he said.

“The pathway will be used even more now that it’s linked to the river stop banks and the Conders Bend mountain bike track.”

The Marlborough District Council, through Bike Walk Marlborough Trust, and the Rata Foundation provided the funding for the project and Wairau River Wines, Hunter’s Wines and the Dudson Scott Gallery have allowed access at the boundaries of their private property.

“It’s only been possible because of the generous level of support from everyone involved – including local contractor Murray Newman from Newman Excavations who did an awesome job,” said Mr Hill.

“The cycleway is a fantastic asset for the Renwick community, providing a safe and convenient off-road alternative for recreational cyclists to access both the Conders Bend Mountain Bike Park and Wairau River and is part of the larger network of cycleways that the Marlborough District Council is currently developing,” said Braden Prideaux, Bike Walk Marlborough coordinator.

Councillor Brooks says two further off-road walking and cycle paths are still on the drawing board for Renwick and she is closely following the progress on these projects.

ENDS

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