Underpass opens for cyclists

A section of Tasman’s Great Taste Trail, running directly between Nelson and Richmond on the Richmond Deviation (opposite the ASB Aquatic Centre), will be closed for up to three months due to pipe upgrades – however cyclists are now able to use the Alliance Underpass.

The Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit (NRSBU) is upgrading pipes, and to save users of the trail any major detours, the Nelson Alliance plant has granted access to the underpass formerly used to get stock under the road.Trail manager Belinda Crisp says the NRSBU has also built an added piece on the trail to allow the Alliance Underpass to connect to the existing underpass.

The livestock underpass was put in when Whakatu Drive and the Richmond Deviation was constructed to allow access to the paddocks on the seaward side of the Deviation.

The area of land on the seaward side was sold to Sollys Transport and the Tasman District Council several years ago, so this underpass was disused.

Alliance plant manager Stephen Baird says he is pleased to be able to help support the Nelson Tasman cycling community.

“This repurposed livestock underpass will be a significant safety initiative to keep cyclists clear of vehicles and off the motorway. It will be a great asset to the Nelson/Tasman cycling population,” he says.

Belinda says, while this route won’t be as direct as riders are used to, it will mean they can still get between Nelson and Richmond without going on the road, while the works take place.

The Alliance Underpass will become the main underpass for users wanting to go from the Coastal Route into the Champion Rd area and vice versa. The underpass does not flood at high tides and will be more direct.

Another change to this area is that entry to the Alliance Reserve is being moved to the big stump which removes the blind corner that was at this turn-off point.