Dave Batten campaigned for new paths in Potatau Street. Photo / Steven McNicholl
Residents of streets along short-cuts to Eden Park for Rugby World Cup crowds are claiming victory over the replacement of badly worn footpaths.
Dave Batten of Potatau St in Arch Hill believes it was only by making "a noise" with letter drops, social media networking, street meetings and a petition
that his community persuaded officials to accelerate the long-sought project.
It would otherwise have had to wait until next year - too late for the rugby cup - for its cracked, uneven and in parts weed-infested footpaths to be replaced.
Mr Batten and his neighbours took action after finding that footpath replacement work along Great North Rd, which will be part of the official walking route for cup crowds, was not to be extended to their adjoining streets.
That was despite the use of their streets as short-cuts by rugby fans, and they're worried that people could be injured by tripping on uneven surfaces.
"Whenever there's a big game we get people parking and walking through here," he said.
"We knew that with the notional walkway between Party Central and Eden Park being up Great North Rd, anybody who was slightly local would know the shortcuts."
But after copying in local MPs and Auckland Mayor Len Brown on correspondence with Waitemata Local Board members, and setting up a Facebook page, they have seen swift action from Auckland Transport.
It has confirmed a budget of about $1 million to upgrade footpaths along large sections of Home St, Dean St and King St as well as Potatau St.
Contractors yesterday began tearing up a length of footpath on the upper section of Potatau St, aiming to complete the job before a moratorium on road works starts in mid-August in readiness for the cup.
