Final biking path design on display

Final designs for the Western Rail Trail biking path will be on display at a public information day next Wednesday.

Hamilton City Council representatives will be on hand to answer questions about the 2.7km shared path, which will follow the rail line through Frankton and connect Hamilton’s south-western suburbs to the central city.

The information day will be held at the Waikato Hockey Clubrooms at Innes Common on Wednesday 17 February, with people welcome to drop in at any time between 2pm and 7pm. The final design includes features developed after feedback from a previous open day and from biking groups as well as residents along the route.

“When the Western Rail Trail opens in July it will be a great addition to our city’s biking network, and is one of the milestone projects in our Biking Plan,” says the Council’s Transportation Unit Manager Jason Harrison

“We expect the trail to have around 300 users a day, not just for commuters and visitors, but also for the more than 1600 students within 500 metres of the route.”


Photo courtesy of Hamilton City Council

The path includes signalised crossings as it crosses four main roads, Killarney Road, Fraser Street, Lake Road and Seddon Road, and connects with the wider transport network via Islington Street, Moana Street and Hastings Place.

“With a rail history theme and interpretive signage exploring Frankton’s heritage, landscaping, lighting along the trail and drinking fountains, rubbish bins, bike fix-it stations, seating and tables, the Western Rail Trail will be a great new asset for the local community.

“I encourage anyone with an interest in biking around our city to come along and see what the trail will offer,” Mr Harrison says.

For more information: hamilton.govt.nz/bikingplan