Government funding for a long championed cycleway in Wellington is being enthusiastically received.
It is hoped construction of a cycle and walking path in Eastbourne can start next year. Photo: CC 2.0 BY Phillip Capper
The government is giving $15 million to help build a cycle and walking path beside the shoreline in Eastbourne.
Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry said the path had been decades in the making and the money meant plans could forge ahead.
"Reaction from a number of advocates who have been working this for a long time was ecstatic.
"And the excitement to know that this is now not just pipe dream it is a reality to be able to get on with it."
Barry said a new seawall to prevent road closures from storm surges and other improvements would also be built as part of the new path.
The project is going through the consent phase and it is hoped construction will start early next year, he said.
The money comes from the government's $220 million nationwide cycleways package from its shovel ready projects.
Also announced today was $1m for cycle trails in Wairarapa.