A new 3 metre wide shared path running between Snug and Margate has been officially opened, with locals already embracing the easy link between the two towns.
The path was opened by Kingborough Council Deputy Mayor Jo Westwood and Minister for Sport and Recreation and member for Franklin the Hon. Jacquie Petrusma MP.
All the talk at the opening was about the instant popularity of the path, which has inspired at least one local resident to buy a bike so they could use the path regularly.
The path has been a long time coming, with the feasibility report dating back to 2012 and the first round of $360,000 state funding secured in 2014; more funding of $175,000 was provided through the Cycling Tourism grant round in 2017.
When the development application was lodged back in July 2017, 21 people made representations, with 14 in support and the rest opposing.
Some private land was aquired to build the path, but the majority is public land that was already in the road reservation.
The path surface is a mix of asphalt and red gravel and is mostly set away from the road, apart from a short section near Electrona.
The 7.5 metre long path stretches between Jarvis Road in Snug to Parish Lane in Margate, running mostly via the old Channel Highway and new path alongside the existing highway.
The Margate path finishes at the Channel History Museum which opens daily from 10 am until 4 pm.
The path is Kingborough Council’s major investment in cycling infrastructure for 2018 and discussions have already begun on the feasibility of extending it through to Kingston.