Kapiti pathway closes for tree removal

The Waterstone/Otaihanga Road cycleway/pedestrian pathway is to be closed temporarily next week when work begins on removing trees which are encroaching on the rail line near the Otaihanga landfill.

Council is removing mainly poplar tree but with a few gums, on the eastern side of the Composting NZ site next to the landfill.

The reason for the removal is that many of the trees lean out across the railway, says Council Leisure and Open Space Asset Manager, Lex Bartlett.

"They are planted on former landfill so are relatively shallow-rooted.

"With stands of pines having been removed to the west as part of the Expressway project, these trees are more exposed to the prevailing north-westerly winds.

"If left as is, the fear is that they could come down over the rail lines or topple on to the overhead wires."

Weather permitting, work will commence on Wednesday 30 April and could take up to two weeks.

During that time the cycleway/pedestrian pathway will be closed when workers are removing the trees. If possible, the pathway will be opened after work hours, as long as the contractors feel it is safe.

Signs will be posted at either end of the pathway to alert cyclists and pedestrians of work in progress.

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Kapiti pathway closes for tree removal