Whanganui District Council shuts Castlecliff Beach track for safety

The beach access track at the end of Seafront Rd is closed. Photo / Erin Smith

Ponding on the Castlecliff Beach access track at Seafront Rd has led the Whanganui District Council to close public access until safety concerns are resolved.

The council announced the closure in a Facebook post on Tuesday afternoon.

Recent rainfall filled a worn section of the track created by “higher-than-anticipated” vehicle traffic.

Council chief executive Doug Tate said it would remain closed until the water-affected section was fixed and safe to reopen.

“While people should use common sense, not everyone will realise how deep the water is,” he said.

Road closure signs are in place.

The council said it was exploring temporary fixes to improve short-term safety.

The track was built for emergency access only but public vehicle use had deteriorated it faster than expected, the council said.

It will assess how the nearby Waiwherowhero Stream affects ponding.

The council is responsible for the track and has worked with community groups to maintain the Castlecliff dune area, including Progress Castlecliff on rejuvenating dunes in the nearby Castlecliff Coastal Reserve.

Pedestrians and vehicles are urged to avoid using the track until further notice.

Erin Smith is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.