Connecting path makes safer Pelorus adventures
Rick Edmonds says the newly announced connection of the Link Pathway from Havelock to the Pelorus River along State Highway 6 makes one of the Te Araroa Trail’s most dangerous sections much safer, while improving walking and cycling access to the river for locals. Photo: William Woodworth.
Work has begun to make a notorious stretch of State Highway 6 safer for walkers and cyclists, as the Link Pathway has been granted permission to connect Havelock to the Pelorus River.
With support from NZTA, Marlborough District Council, DOC, Ngāti Kuia, Havelock Community Association and Te Araroa Trust, the extension stretch 2.5km from Havelock to Pelorus Bridge and meeting safety requirements.
The extension has found funding from the nationwide Te Araroa Trail, as part of improvements for priority sections as walkers consider the 2km the worst part of the nationwide trail.
Link Pathway coordinator Rick Edmonds says the community-initiated project began after seeing people enjoying the area in dangerous situations.
“We’re already part of Te Araroa and have watched walkers come off the Pathway through Havelock then thrown suddenly on the edge of a state highway for years,” Rick says.
“For locals, this first section is going to open the river to Havelock – if people want to swim, fish or picnic, while also connecting the entire top of the South”.
The most challenging part will be from River Corner to Te Hoiere Road, which needs a counter-levered footbridge on the edge of the bank.
“While we can do this first stage on an existing road shoulder ahead of summer, get some excitement about what we’re doing, and then tackle that hard section.”
“Just two days since we’ve been building it, we’ve already had walkers see what we’re doing, cross the road and start walking down our pathway.
While focused on connecting the Sounds, Rick says the link over the hill has always been part of the vision.
“Right from day one, the Link Pathway aspired to link the ferry terminal with Nelson, with the pathway already in existence over the Maungatapu Saddle. Now we’ve dealt with all the Sounds terrain and rugged hillsides that keep falling, having much of the connection to Nelson already there makes it easier. People aren’t laughing quite as much, because they know that we’ll do it”.