Footpaths in Kerikeri, Okaihau, Omapere, Ohaeawai and Kaikohe have been earmarked as the Mid North's top pedestrian priorities for this financial year.
The Far North District Council has set aside $107,500 a year for footpaths in each of its three wards and left the job of deciding how it shouldbe spent to the community boards.
At its meeting last month the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board gave top priority to the stretch of Kerikeri Rd from Hall Rd to Maraenui Rd (estimated cost $120,000) and from Maraenui Rd to State Highway 10 ($130,000).
Chairman Terry Greening said the cost was greater than the board's allocation but the projects could qualify for funding from the New Zealand Transport Agency.
Alternatives, if NZTA funding was not forthcoming, included Hospital Rd in Kawakawa ($60,000), SH1 in Moerewa ($50,000), Station Rd in Kawakawa ($50,000), Riddell Rd ($75,000) in Kerikeri and Mission Rd ($75,000) in Kerikeri.
Mr Greening said board members were concerned that in some areas children walked to school on roads with no footpaths, including in 100km/h zones. He hoped work would start on the highest priority projects in December.
Meanwhile, the Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board has set four top priorities - building a set of steps to Two Ponga Park in Okaihau ($5000), extending the footpath along SH1 at Ohaeawai ($15,000), Signal Station Rd at Omapere (stage one, total cost $210,000) and Recreation Rd in Kaikohe from Station Rd ($25,000).
Meanwhile, plans to build a footpath along SH11 from Haruru Falls to Paihia have been delayed by a cost blow-out. Council capital works manager Casey De Pereira said the original plans required a significant number of retaining walls, the cost of which would have pushed the project over budget.
New plans were being developed that would reduce the requirement for retaining walls. Once finalised they would be sent to the New Zealand Transport Agency for approval. Mr De Pereira hoped tenders would be called early next year.
