Small step ahead for bridge walkers

Auckland's public transport authority has decided to back an assessment of walking and cycling over the harbour bridge, although the government body with ultimate responsibility wants more time.

The Auckland Regional Transport Authority board resolved yesterday to support a consideration of bridge pedestrian and cycle paths against other regional walking and cycling projects as part of a three-year transport programme due to begin in July.

But communications manager Sharon Hunter said last night that any project submitted for inclusion in Auckland's regional land transport programme would involve a package of measures including local connections on both sides of the Waitemata as well as the paths across the bridge.

She said the Government's Transport Agency would be responsible for the project's main component and local councils for connections with their own roading and cycling networks.

Her organisation intended issuing a draft transport programme for consultation in January, and the final document would be in place by July 1, after a public hearing and submissions.

The Transport Agency meanwhile says it will decide "by the end of the year" whether to recommend that a bridge walkway and cycleway should proceed.

Agency board chairman Brian Roche said yesterday it fully supported walking and cycling as an important part of Auckland's transport mix, and so was carefully considering the proposed links.