Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path

Auckland Transport (AT) and the NZ Transport Agency are creating a shared path for cyclists and pedestrians from Merton Road near Glen Innes Station to Tamaki Drive – allowing you to walk, run or cycle from Auckland’s eastern suburbs to the Waitematā Harbour. More information here: https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/glen-innes-to-tamaki-drive-shared-path/

Frustration at Further Delays Constructing GI to Tamaki Drive Shared Path

29 October 2018

As some of you may have heard, Stage 2 of the GI-TD Shared Path is delayed with the remaining section 2 (Pourewa Valley) and section 4 (Hobson Bay to Tamaki Drive) now not estimated to be completed until 2021. That’s right, 2021.

We asked our Past Chair, Tim Duguid for a personal reflection on the project:

“When the project started in 2014, my two children attended Selwyn College, and they both looked forward to using it to get to school: a short hop across the valley from Meadowbank Road would beat the school bus any day. Or a 45 minute walk or a bike ride round St Johns and Kohi Roads. The project timeline slipped and my daughter left school, and now today is my son’s last day at school. He gave up any hope of using the path sometime last year. Just a few more bike rides on the footpaths and mixing it with the traffic for his final exam days and that will be that.

Setting a date of 2021 means anyone currently in Year 12 or Year 11 or quite likely Year 10 won’t get to use it either. That’s a couple of hundred more of our teenagers consigned to the bus and the main roads over the next three years. Or a car ride, perish the thought. It’s a similar story for younger children at St Thomas’s of course.

It’s equally frustrating for anyone else wanting to cross the valley for any other reason. In my case, mostly for running around the Pourewa Valley and down to the waterfront.

I think Auckland Transport (AT), NZTA and others have completely failed to manage expectations: two years has become seven years. Seven years to build a path, which has overwhelming support throughout the community. Meanwhile, along with many others, I’ve written submissions, attended workshops, given up time to get to meetings with the project team. At one such meeting back in 2015, I relayed a comment from a resident that ‘any path, however rudimentary’ would be better than waiting years.

I just want to see this done. Done properly, and the sooner the better.”

What we say: please keep making your voice heard, however long this takes! Let’s do what we can to make sure Stage 2 of the GI-TD Shared Path delivers the outcomes we want. Click here to view the consultation information, graphics and also find links to give feedback on Sections 2 and 3 here. AT are seeking feedback until 9 November 2018.

Our ideas for Stage 2 Glen Innes – Tamaki Drive Shared Path

21 March 2017

At our monthly meeting on Tuesday March 7, we held a workshop and invited locals to contribute ideas for the next stage of the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path. Construction is due to begin on the path this year.

We looked at four areas:

  1. Commuting
  2. Local Businesses and Facilities
  3. Leisure and Recreation, and
  4. Children and Families (or “All Ages”).

For each of these, we asked ourselves a series of questions about the opportunities the path represents for Meadowbank and St Johns. Specifically:

  • How can I find / access the Path?
  • What would I want to do along the route?
  • How can it get me where I want to go?
  • How can it create other local benefits?
  • How can it free up space on roads for those that need it most?
  • How can it create great days out?

The four charts below list all the ideas that we captured on Post-It notes (along with feedback received on previous posts on Facebook), and how those present at the workshop rated each idea.

What do you think? Do you agree? Please send us an email at .

The next step is for us to take these ideas to Orakei Local Board to secure funding.

Meeting attendees brainstorm ideas for Stage 2 of the Glen Innes – Tamaki Drive Shared Path

Local MP and Outboard Boating Club want to reroute Eastern Path through major intersection

21 February 2017

This video shows two options for Stage 4 of the Eastern Path. Stage 4 starts at the Orakei Train Station end of the Orakei Basin, and comes out onto Tamaki Drive. The two options are:

  1. Option A which follows the train line through to the southern side of Tamaki Drive
  2. Option B which hugs the Ngapipi Rd shoreline and goes through the Ngapipi/Tamaki Drive intersection.

It seems that our local MP Simon O’Connor and the Outboard Boating Club prefer Option B.

However Option A is more direct towards the city (700m less to travel), does not replicate the Ngapipi Rd route, and does not traverse a major intersection on the corner of Ngapipi Rd and Tamaki Drive.

We have undertaken an unscientific survey via a post on Facebook and respondents unanimously voted for Option A.

Which do you prefer? Email us at  or interact with our Facebook post.

More about the Tamaki Drive / Ngapipi Rd intersection

Lights have been selected to improve this intersection after a consultation period last year. More information:

Watch the video

The two options for Stage 4 of the path are shown from 3mins 50 seconds.

Community Celebrates Opening of Stage 1 Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Pathway

20 February 2017

An excited crowd of nearly 50 people gathered on Sunday 18 February to celebrate the opening of Stage 1 of the Glen Innes – Tamaki Drive Walkway/Cycleway, also known as the Eastern Path.

The event was jointly organised by Bike Eastern Suburbs and Friends of Pourewa Valley.

Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai (The Path from the Land to the Sea) is a joint NZTA and Auckland Transport project that will deliver a 7km long cycle and walkway connecting Auckland’s eastern suburbs to Tamaki Drive and the city centre.

After fuelling up with coffee and brunch at Columbus Cafe on Merton Rd, the colourful bunch of walkers, cyclists, scooter-riders and pram-pushers began the trek up the pathway to the summit at Sunhill Garden Centre. Paces varied, but the common denominator was the smile on the face of every participant despite the hot and humid conditions. The view and photo stops were also a surreptitious chance to take a breather!

Meadowbank & St Johns Residents Association Chairman Tim Duguid kicked off proceedings, thanking Councillor Desley Simpson for her support of the path, and recognised the input of the Orakei Local Board. In attendance representing the Board were David Wong, Toni Millar, and Carmel Claridge.

Carmel Claridge, Orakei Local Board member and Environment Lead, says:

“This is one of the most exciting projects in our area for a long time, and I was delighted to share this  occasion with the community, my Orakei Local Board colleagues, and Chairman Colin Davis. I am thrilled that this pathway will open up the Pourewa Valley in an ecologically sympathetic way, allowing so many more of our residents and visitors to enjoy this unique, urban green space. How lucky are we as city dwellers, to have a piece of New Z ealand bush, only 6kms from the CBD right here  on our doorsteps to appreciate and enjoy? This corridor of urban paradise is very special, and needs to be cared for and cherished –  not only as a useful transport corridor, but as a valuable resource for future generations. It is vital that people provide feedback to Auckland Transport on the next stages of construction, to ensure that the funding bodies know how important local links for access to the Pathway are for our communities, and to ensure the development follows environmentally sound principles.”

Delighted little ones clustered around the Auckland Transport table, eager to collect goodies on offer: key rings, high vis snap bracelets, rain covers for bike seats, and more. A few adults were also seen lurking with intent, and pocketing a trinket or two. Thanks Auckland Transport!

Bike Eastern Suburbs representative Ross Roberts provided participants with a useful map for those keen to head off on a further cycle route showcasing the sites of proposed links to the path.

Pourewa Valley expert Roy Clements led a group down to Selwyn Park, where participants enjoyed the beautiful vistas of the valley. Stage 2 of the path will open up this area of bush land for all to enjoy.

Grateful thanks to all the community heroes who made the day possible: Ross Roberts, Kate Thompson, Dorthe Siggard, and Ingrid from Bike Eastern Suburbs, Friends of Pourewa Valley, and Columbus Cafe Glen Innes.

More about Stage 2 of the path

Stage 2 of the project is scheduled to begin this year with design concepts from Council
expected to be available for public consultation and feedback soon.

The second section of the pathway has the potential to deliver fantastic benefits for Meadowbank St Johns residents. It provides opportunities for students to access schools and playing fields on the
Kohimarama side of the Pourewa Valley by foot and by bike.

Residents will be able to use the pathway to connect to adjacent suburbs, and use it to get into the city, or to access better public transport systems including the train.

Photo selection

Many thanks to Rolf Siggard for these wonderful photos from the day.

Participants gather at Columbus Cafe before the event

Orakei Local Board member Carmel Claridge, our Chair Tim Duguid

People gather around the Auckland Transport table with more information about future stages of the path

It’s a reasonably steep hill but we got this! Great view to Mt Wellington

Orakei Councillor Desley Simpson with Dorthe Siggard, Toni Millar and Carmel Claridge

Eastern Path Stage 1 Opening Celebration

23 January 2017

Bring your pedal- or push-powered wheels and join Bike Eastern Suburbs and Friends of Pourewa Valley for a family-friendly ride to celebrate the opening of Stage 1 of the Eastern Path.

  • When: 10am, Sunday 12 February
  • Where: Meet at Columbus Coffee, corner of Felton Mathew Ave and Merton Rd
  • Organisers: Jointly organised by Bike Eastern Suburbs and Friends of Pourewa Valley

The day will start with a coffee (if you wish) at Columbus Coffee, followed by a tour of the path (note: there is a climb to the top!) At the top there will be an information session about future stages of the path, spot prizes and another chance for coffee at Cigana!

Then if you’re keen there’ll be a road cycle circumventing where Stage 2 of the path.

See BikeES Facebook Page for more details and RSVPs.

 

Eastern Path Stage 1 Official Opening!

7 December 2016

We are excited to announce that the first stage of the Eastern Path (aka Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive shared walkway/cycleway) will be opening on Friday December 9, 2016!

Just in time for the weekend!

We’ll bring you more information when we explore the path after the opening ceremony.

Eastern Path Sections

Eastern Path Updates – August 2016

27 August 2016

For a full list of updates, see https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/glen-innes-to-tamaki-drive-shared-path/glenn-innes-shared-path-project-updates.

Eastern Path Sections

Stage 1 (Glen Innes – St Johns Rd)

Completion expected October 2016.

Stage 2 (St Johns Rd – Meadowbank Train Station)

On 18 August, Auckland Council published the Commissioners’ Recommendation for Stage 2 (St Johns Road to Meadowbank Train Station). It’s strongly supportive, but also requires NZTA and Auckland Transport to further explore north-south access ways and local links (which include links into the Gowing Drive area of Meadowbank).
Note that any access from Gowing Drive would require additional funding for land to be purchased and a rail overpass – this sounds expensive but we are hopeful this will happen.

Stage 3 (Widened Orakei Basin Boardwalk)

Resource consent for Stage 3 has been granted.

Eastern Pathway Consultation

16 April 2016

New designs for Auckland’s biggest ever cycle project were on display at St Chad’s Church in Meadowbank earlier this week. Public were invited to meet the project team, give feedback and ask questions on the Eastern Pathway.

What is the Eastern Pathway? A shared path for pedestrians and cyclists which will follow the eastern rail line from Merton Road near Glen Innes Station to Tamaki Drive. The $40 million project is funded by NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport. Completion of stage one between Merton and St Johns Roads is due mid-2016.

Good connectivity was what people most liked about the path, according to the initial 2014 consultations. Among the potential connections listed at this month’s consultation were Glen Innes and surrounding area, Kohimarama Road – Special Housing Area, John Rymer Place Kohimarama, Purewa Cemetery, and Tahapa Reserve. It was noted that there is no currently proposed connection linking Gowing Drive with the path.

It is important to understand that connections to the path are not funded by the project itself. So while the project team wants as many people as possible to have access to the path, the reality may fall short. The Orakei Local Board (OLB) pledged in the 2016/17 Auckland Budget local prorities to “… find funding to create the links to the shared path…”. And importantly, that this will be done “… following consultation on the location of these with the community”.

Next Steps. Look out for the opportunity to provide feedback later this month, or send your comments now to and we’ll pass them on both the project team and OLB.

PHOTOS

Section Three of the Eastern Pathway - widening the Orakei Basin Boardwalk

Section Three of the Eastern Pathway – concept drawing of the widened Orakei Basin Boardwalk

Public reviewing concept drawings and details on the proposed connections, April 2016

Public reviewing concept drawings and details on the proposed connections, April 2016

 

Robbie Jackson, 5, surveying proposed routes at the Eastern Pathway Consultation, April 2016

Robbie Jackson, 5, surveying proposed routes at the Eastern Pathway Consultation, April 2016

Potential connections to the Eastern Pathway, Public Consultation, April 2016.

Potential connections to the Eastern Pathway, Public Consultation, April 2016.

READ MORE
Official project website

Glen Innes, Tamaki Drive Cycleway Project Processes With New Designs (stuff.co.nz, 11 April 2016)

Eastern Path is Go (mbsjra.co.nz, October 2015)

Eastern Path – Section 2 Testing Work Begins

10 November 2015

Testing work begins today and will continue for three weeks on Section 2 of the Eastern Path – this is the section that goes through the Pourewa Valley and connects St Johns Rd with Meadowbank Station and Orakei Basin.

Please see the letter to neighbours about expected noise, helicopters and machinery: Eastern Path Section 2 Investigation Works Notification – 151106

Eastern Path is Go!

31 October 2015

A sod-turning ceremony was held on October 21 to mark the beginning of construction on the Eastern Path – a shared walk/cycleway that will pass through unused land between Glen Innes, St Johns and Meadowbank to Tamaki Drive.

View a PDF about the Glen Innes to Tamaki Dr shared path, and expected timelines.

UPDATE (November 10, 2015): Section two of the Eastern Path connects St Johns Road (by the Meadowbank Pony Club entrance) to the Meadowbank Train Station. To prepare for construction, ground testing will start November 10, 2015. View a PDF about what residents can expect from this testing.

 

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