Taylor River Pathway
Marlborough District Council in partnership with Marlborough Roads is improving the Taylor River Reserve shared path between the Beaver Road and Stuart Street.
Construction
This will take place from late March 2021 - July 2021.
Background
The Taylor River Reserve is an important open space for walking and cycling. The paths are regularly used by pedestrians, cyclists, people on scooters and skateboards, as well as those with prams and mobility scooters. It is also a popular way for getting to and from nearby schools and colleges - and an important recreational space and dog exercise area.
The path system was first developed in the early 2000s, and usage has exceeded all expectations. A counter installed on the Taylor River near the Monro Street entrance shows an average of 630 pedestrians and 270 cyclists have used the path each day! The path system now needs further development to keep up with demand.
Features
The following improvements will occur between Beaver Road footbridge and Alfred Street:
- Sections of the existing path will be widened from an existing 1.8 - 2.2 metres, to 3 metres.
- Grading work will be done on the side of the paths to create a gentle slope from path to grass.
The following improvements will occur between Sinclair Street (SH1) and Stuart Street.
- A 2.0 - 2.5 metre wide concrete pathway will be constructed to improve connectivity between Stuart Street and Blenheim CBD.
Why?
- The recommended 3 metre width aligns with New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) standards and is the number of people using the pathway, as well as allowing a pedestrian and cyclist (or two mobility scooters) to safely pass each other with a natural distance between the two.
- The new pathway between Sinclair Street (SH1) to Stuart Street section will be constructed to 2.0 - 2.5 metres wide due to restrictions in available reserve space and an expected lower number of pedestrians and cyclists using this section.
- Feedback from the community has highlighted the narrowness of the path and the inability to comfortably pass other users. There have been some reports of conflict between users as a result of this narrow path.
- It is also difficult, in places, to get on and off the path to allow others to pass. The grading work being done on the side of the paths will improve drainage and make it easier for users to get on and off the paths.
The project costs will be met from within existing Marlborough District Council budgets and subsidy from New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).
View the project factsheet (PDF, 2.2MB)
Notice to all path users
This project will temporarily impact on pathway and reserve users and neighbouring properties. Once completed the pathway improvements will benefit all users, as well as the wider community.
- This is a staged project which means that not all areas of the pathway will be impacted at the same time. Signage will indicate areas of construction at any given time.
- For your own safety we ask that you keep out of construction areas and use alternative routes.
- In most cases it will be possible to use the pathway on the other side of the river, or to go around the construction area, on the grass.
- Dog owners are asked to use leads around construction areas, to keep themselves and their pets safe.
- Importantly, even after the path widening is complete, common courtesy and shared pathway etiquette will still be required, of course. This etiquette is explained by the shared pathway signage along the path.
View tips on how to use a cycleway
You can also sign up to our newsletter to be kept in the loop regarding project progress and other walking and cycling initiatives.
