Ask Phoebe: Parnell Baths walkway reopened to ramblers

A striking new footbridge for Point Resolution linking Parnell Baths with Tamaki Drive.

Q. My wife and I have long enjoyed the walk down the steps at the end of St Stephen's Ave and round through the Parnell Baths and up through the Rose Gardens park.

In the past this walkway has occasionally been closed to the public overnight, but for a long time now it has always been open - that is until work started on the new waterfront bridge.

I was delighted to find the new baths access walkway was at last finished and that I could do the walk through the baths again. I took my wife back on Tuesday evening to enjoy it with me, only to find that we were prevented from using it by a padlocked gate. It was hardly late at night, just past 5pm as I remember.

Are the public going to be allowed to use it or was this only done for the benefit of baths' customers? Peter Wakeman, Parnell.

The walkway was opened in mid-October. Initially there were some hold-ups getting a certificate of public use, as well as changes to the security system at the pools. All hold-ups have been resolved and the walkway will now be locked every night at 10pm and opened every morning at 5.30am. The council apologises for any inconvenience the hold-ups caused.

Q. With the switch over to digital TV looming, where can I take my old TV and DVD recorder to be recycled?

Can you help please? Paul Mitchell, South Auckland.

Auckland Council's booklet on waste and recycling is a most useful publication. It suggests that as Auckland changes to digital TV on December 1, you should look out for TV recycling. The website to check is tvtakeback.govt.nz. But the booklet also says that e-waste is anything with a battery or a plug, and this obviously includes old television sets, stereos and DVD players/recorders. The booklet suggests taking such items to a reputable e-waste recycler. Contact e-Cycle at www.e-cycle.co.nz or free phone 0800-726-368, or find out if there is a take-back scheme on the manufacturer's website.

Any Noel Leeming store will take old TVs, but not other equipment.

A range of electronic materials can be dropped off for reuse or safe recycling at the Auckland locations below. Charges and limitations may apply. You should phone the place beforehand and check before taking e-waste.

South and east - Manukau Beautiful, 38 Holmes Rd, Manurewa; North - RCN e-cycle, 2 Piermark Drive, Albany; West EcoMatters, 1 Olympic Place, New Lynn.

To find out more about your e-waste options go to the Auckland Council website, www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/environmentwaste