It may not be the work that was widely expected on Otago Peninsula, but there will be an upgrade soon to the footpath linking the Portobello village with its school.
Otago Peninsula Community Board members were startled at the end of last month when it seemed expected work between Allans Beach Rd and Portobello School had been delayed by several years.
The Dunedin City Council has since clarified that some work is to be carried out there.
The footpath between Allans Beach Rd and the school would be upgraded this winter, providing a safe link, council infrastructure and development general manager Simon Drew said.
A new crossing would also be added near Allans Beach Rd to improve safety, he said.
"We apologise if this approach was not adequately communicated to the Otago Peninsula Community Board."
However, some uncertainty remains.
The council is to extend a shared path from the Portobello Boating Club to Allans Beach Rd by June next year.
At some point, the council intends to extend it further, past the school.
"This larger piece of work is more complicated and is yet to be designed and funding agreed," Mr Drew said.
Funding would depend on decisions made for the council’s 2024-34 long-term plan.
Another change seemingly not communicated by the council to the community board related to a planned boardwalk.
"Plans for a boardwalk section at Portobello were removed from the project during the resource consenting process following community input that the boardwalk would have adverse effects on the natural character of the harbour," Mr Drew said.
