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The Esplanade

A collection of Waiheke community groups is calling for The Esplanade between Blackpool and Surfdale to be made safe for walkers, horse riders and cyclists by closing it to vehicle traffic.

The call comes in response to Reg Cuthers’ (Auckland City Council’s manager for transport in the HGI) invitation for feedback on the future of the road, which is due for major repairs over the coming months.

Community Board member Eileen Evans, who is leading the call, says, “People are telling me they want to see a true esplanade - a place where everybody can walk or ride along the waterfront, safely and in peace. At the moment it’s a racetrack, a wasted opportunity that no family in their right mind would want to use”.

The change would mark an end to dangerous driving on The Esplanade which has resulted in at least three serious accidents over the last 3 years. Already, the call has been backed by Waiheke Playgroup, Blackpool Esplanade residents, the Pony Club and Adult Riding Club, Cycle Action Waiheke.

According to Eileen, this is a unique opportunity. “Nobody needs to drive along this section of road. There are no property accesses off this section of the Esplanade and the steepness and height of the cliffs means there never will be. Neighbours at each end of the road are overwhelmingly for the change”.

“The road would still be there, virtually unchanged. It would still be available in an emergency, simply by removing a few lockable bollards. We’ve spoken to the Waiheke Police and they have said that they would be happy with this arrangement”.

The solution requires no additional work or expense, other than the cost of the bollards. “If it doesn't work, it can easily be changed back. If it does work, we'll have a coastal walkway/cycleway/bridle path that will benefit a wide cross section of the Waiheke community”.

Auckland City Parks adviser Gary Wilton supports the idea. “It would be a great addition to our coastal walkway network” says Gary. “It would be a destination in itself, a place to fish, for boaties to come ashore, with seats and picnic tables, somewhere we can plant Pohutukawas, all without fear of speeding cars”.

Eileen adds “Once it’s safe, it becomes a vital everyday link: for kids to walk and cycle safely to school; for the cycle tourists and cycling commuters; and for the horse-riding community, taking them safely between Oneroa and Surfdale”.

“This is a community decision” she says. “We’re great at resisting things on Waiheke, but this is something positive we can all get behind and secure for future generations. How can we tell our kids that we preferred a dusty, dangerous road to a stunning coastal walkway? We’ve made a suggestion, now we want people to think it through. We’ve got an online survey coming so that everyone can have their say”.

Eileen is asking for other community groups to let her know their views. She can be contacted on 09 372 2377 or at eileenmichael@xtra.co.nz.

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