A section of the Ōpua-Paihia Coastal Walkway damaged by a slip in mid-July has been reopened by Far North District Council.
Repairs to reopen the track between Smith Camp Road and English Bay were completed on Friday and include reinstating the walkway by resurfacing the track and removing any hazardous trees.
The Council says the repair work was more extensive than first anticipated and a close inspection of the track by contractors, to assess damage, was delayed by the danger of further slips due to ongoing rain.
The popular coastal walking track has experienced several closures during the past few years due to damage by storms and heavy rains. The most significant storm, Cyclone Gabrielle early last year, caused extensive slips along a 325-metre section of track between Walls Bay and Lemons Bay. This section remains closed.
“Unfortunately, warning signs and fencing installed to prevent access to this part of the slip area have been regularly removed and vandalised putting other walkers at risk,” Council said in a statement.
“Track users are urged to use common sense and avoid sections of the track that remain damaged and to report any sections that appear unstable.”
