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Last modified: 29 Jul 2020 10:42am

Picture of a work site with bare earth, workers at work and two diggers

Work on the final stages of the Leeston to Doyleston cycleway is under way and progressing well.

The Council was able to complete the necessary land purchases and site access agreements for the final route over the Alert Level 4 lockdown period.

It has also agreed a contract with Leeston based Johnston Excavating and Drainage to continue working on the cycleway. The company had recently completed stage one of the cycleway, building sections at either end from Leeston township to the Leeston Heritage Park and installing a bridge and starting the cycleway at the Doyleston end.

The agreements happening over the lockdown period meant that Johnston’s was able to start work as soon as possible under Level 3 conditions, Council Transportation Asset Manager Andrew Mazey says. “We also appreciate the cooperation of the adjoining landowners to help us get the works underway as soon as possible at this challenging time.”

Key drainage work has been completed, which will reduce delays from bad weather, he says. Despite the lockdown period the Council and Johnston’s are working hard to finish the cycleway as close as possible to the original goal of having it completed before winter, Andrew says.

The Council was pleased that it was able to confirm the work with a Selwyn based contractor, providing a local business and its employees with certainty of work in spite of the impacts of the pandemic.

Although the cycleway has been planned for a long time, the construction came at a good timing to support the increased focus on getting active as well, he says. “With the emphasis on people walking and cycling and getting out more this will add better value in that regard and support people to continue that into the future.”