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Management plans

Bridle Path Walkway Conservation And Development Proposal

Introduction

The Bridle Path track was the route used by the first settlers to traverse the Port Hills from Lyttelton to the settlement of Christchurch. It extends from Lyttelton to the Summit Road and then down into Heathcote Valley where it meets with Bridle Path Road at the Tunnel Road portal.

This report focuses on the northern section of the Bridle Path track which links Heathcote Valley and the Summit Road. Administered by the Christchurch City Council, the Design Services Unit of the Council has been instructed by the Parks Unit to carry out an engineering assessment of the walkway, due to the deteriorated state of this section of the Bridle Path.

The brief requested the following points to be covered:

1. Improving the walkway surface.
2. Alleviating stormwater drainage problems and the associated scouring of the walkway.
3. Restoration of the seats and monuments along the walkway.
4. Recommendations for remedial treatment.
5. Recommendations for phased development.
6. Estimate of costs.

The brief also emphasised that any proposals must include proper consideration of the historical significance of the Bridle Path Walkway.

Contents

1. Introduction
2. Status of the Bridle Path
3. Historical overview
4. Lower section of walkway and access road
   • Present condition.
   • Recommended remedial treatment
5. Upper section of walkway
   • Present condition
   • Recommended remedial treatment.
6. Existing seating and memorial
   • Bridle path entrance wall
   • "Cressy" seat
   • 3rd seat
   • Wayside Cross Memorial
   • 4th seat (George Seymour)
7. Signs, interpretation, carpark
8. Acknowledgments and bibliography
   • Acknowledgments
   • Bibliography