Cycling use of Taieri Gorge suggested

The Taieri Gorge line could be used for trains or bicycles, or both, Otago Central Rail Trail...
The Taieri Gorge line could be used for trains or bicycles, or both, Otago Central Rail Trail Trust chairwoman Kate Wilson says. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH
There could be room for both bicycles and trains if the Otago Central Rail Trail is extended to Dunedin.

A trail for cyclists, walkers and horse riders could run alongside parts of the Taieri Gorge rail line from Middlemarch and rail bikes could be used where room was lacking, Otago Central Rail Trail Trust chairwoman Kate Wilson said.

"It doesn’t necessarily need to be a cycling route all the way," she said.

Mrs Wilson spoke in the public forum of a Dunedin City Council meeting this week, for which the main agenda item was the future of Dunedin Railways Ltd and the Taieri Gorge line.

The trust was keen to work with the city council and Department of Conservation to consider what an extension to the rail trail could look like, she said.

The trail is a 150km ride or walk that follows the former Otago Central railway line between Clyde and Middlemarch. It opened in 2000 and has been a popular attraction since.

Mrs Wilson said a study could be carried out to help establish the feasibility of possible extensions.

She was part of a reference group behind the rail report considered by councillors and said more information was needed about the possibilities for recreational pursuits such as cycling.

Extending the rail trail has a form of formal backing from councillors. They decided the trust should be be supported in its efforts to seek funding for feasibility work, together with manawhenua and other interested parties.

Mrs Wilson said it was important for the line to be used regularly, whether by bicycles or trains.

The line is known for its scenic qualities and features tunnels, bridges and views of the gorge.

"The history, it can’t be lost," Mrs Wilson said.

Projected costs for maintaining the line for rail services approached "scary", but alternative uses would also not be free.

Comments

Please no more trains just a bike track from Dunedin to Central Otago.

Electric bikes would eat up the kilometres in no time.

If only the council had put up fares on those trains to a breakeven point we would not be in this mess from years and years of losses and very bad management !

And here we begin to see the green councillors' true agenda for selling off the railway assets. It doesn't matter how many people lose their jobs, it doesn't matter the cost to ratepayers - everything must be done to build more bike tracks for the lycra mob.

And when the trail gets to Wingatui it will just be another $30-50 million or so to use the old Wingatui and Caversham tunnels completing the route to Dunedin. Not to mention, of course, converting South Road onto a bike only route.

So all up a loss of 30+ tourism jobs and a cost of $100 - 150 million to keep the greens' dream alive. It's ok, Dunedin ratepayers can afford that surely.

 

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