List of solutions for slip-plagued Manawatu Gorge to be released by NZTA next week

Manawatu Gorge was closed in April after a large slip. Photo / File

A long list of options for a solution to the slip-plagued Manawatu Gorge route is due to come out next week.

The gorge was closed in April after a large slip took out the road, and it may never open again.

The New Zealand Transport Agency has been working for several weeks on a list of long-term, resilient solutions to the problem.

The agency has been engaging with local government, regional stakeholders, industry groups and community representatives, regional transport systems manager Ross l'Anson said.

The list of options will be available for feedback from Monday.

'We know how keen people are to see these options, and we've worked hard with our local partners to get to this point as quickly as possible," l'Anson said.

"We've looked at all previously identified alternative route options as well as assessing new proposals, so that we can present a broad range of possible solutions for public feedback."

The agency will make an interactive website available so people can quickly and easily provide feedback on the options.

"The website will allow people to place virtual 'pins' onto a map illustrating the different options and they'll be able to attach their feedback to the 'pin'. We hope this will encourage more people to engage in the process, so that we can collect feedback, comments and suggestions from as many people as possible for review and consideration."

The agency will also be hosting two public meetings and two open days in Palmerston North on Monday and Woodville on Tuesday.

The meetings will give people an opportunity to review the list of options and talk to Transport Agency representatives.

Separate public open days where people can provide feedback on the options will be held in Palmerston North on October 11 and in Woodville on October 12. Both open days will run from 3pm to 8pm. Public feedback on the options will be open until October 23.

The public engagement process would help identify the best performing option for an alternative route that delivers the best outcomes for the region by December 2017, l'Anson said.