Design Approach to Walkway Upgrades Confirmed

Plans to improve the surfaces of New Plymouth District’s unsealed walkways are taking shape.

The improvements are part of the Let’s Go project, and aim to make it easier for a wide variety of users to enjoy the walkways.

Let’s Go Project Manager Carl Whittleston says a meeting of Te Henui Walkway users in late February provided feedback that helped refine the approach the Council will take to these upgrades.

“After listening to what was said, we’ve decided to base much of our upgrade designs on the compacted gravel that was used to improve Te Henui Walkway last year,” he says.

“However where issues exist, or there is frequent vehicle access or a section of pathway is designed to encourage wheelchair access, we will likely use a more hard-wearing product such as a light chip seal.

“The amount of compacted gravel or chip seal used will differ from project to project depending on the requirements for each section of pathway.

“We think this is a good approach to take as the compacted gravel retains much of the aesthetic that walkers and runners enjoy, while the chip seal will fix specific problem areas.”

As each walkway project comes up, the Council will make the concept plan available for public comment before the design is finalised.

The Let’s Go project aims to get more people out of cars and into walking, cycling and bussing through a combination of community programmes and infrastructure upgrades.