HBRC keeps all in the loop about new cycle trail near Craggy Range

The Hawke's Bay Regional Council is working with other parties to reinstate an off-road cycle trail on a section of land next to Waimarama Rd. Photo / Duncan Brown

In acknowledgement of "nervousness" as a result of the furore over the Craggy Range walking trail, the Hawke's Bay Regional Council is working with interested parties to reinstate an off-road cycle trail on a section of land next to Waimarama Rd.

Called the "Mad Mile", the limestone trail, which would connect with the wider Hawke's Bay Trails network, would run over private land from the Te Mata-Mangateretere Road – River Road intersection over a fast, narrow, hilly section of road as far as Craggy Range winery.

In the pipeline for some time, the 1300m length section had been an issue for the council due to safety concerns raised by the Government's authorising agency, New Zealand Cycle Trail Inc (NZCT).

At an environment and services committee meeting yesterday, group manager asset management Graeme Hansen said this section was removed from the trails network in 2017 because NZCT considered it too dangerous.

After looking at alternative options, discussions with affected landowners, iwi and the Hastings District Council were held and a replacement section was identified to provide a safe, off-road route with views of the Tukituki valley.

The controversy over the Craggy Range zigzag walking track, however, had made it challenging to progress this alternative, Mr Hansen said, and as part of the agreement to sell the land, the landowner had asked for confirmation that HBRC, Hastings council and iwi were aware of the development.

"There was nervousness around the Craggy Range trail issues that played out in the media and concern about confusion between the two trails, and that the knowledge or understanding of this trail was not highlighted enough," he said.

Council chairman Rex Graham said this part of the cycle trail got mixed up in the emotions around Craggy Range track but had nothing to do with it.

"Everyone got nervous because of this emotion, including the landowners ... who wanted to ensure everyone knew about it."

Mr Graham said he had since met with Waimarama mana whenua who had no objections, and local iwi who also had no concerns.

He also wrote to all Hastings district and regional councillors outlining the proposal.

"From our perspective all our requirements have been met and there's no objections to date."

The section of trail was estimated to cost $340,000, with the regional council committed to contributing $85,000 (provided for in existing 2017/18 budgets) and half of the project would be funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

The Hastings District Council and Eastern and Central Community Trust had also committed funding.

The section of trail was expected to be in place by late this year.