Nelson's Glider Road closed indefinitely over safety concerns

RNZ News

7 hours ago

Glider Road remains closed to all vehicle and recreation access for safety reasons.
Photo:
Supplied / Nelson City Council
A road in Nelson used to access the Barnicoat Range has been closed indefinitely over safety concerns.
Nelson City Council said Glider Road has been closed to all vehicle and recreation access, after significant and unstable slips were identified above and below the road.
It was originally a farm track, that had been upgraded for forestry access and was now used by people wanting to access the hang gliding take off zone and several mountain biking and walking trails.
Infrastructure group manager Alec Louverdis said there had been a number of minor slips on the road in the last decade, but heavy rain in May caused several issues and it had commissioned a geotechnical report to gain a better understanding of them.
He said the road was incredibly steep and was exposed to rain, sun, and wind. Recent heavy rain meant it had been closed more often that it was open.
"[The] council wants to make it clear to the public, nearby residents and recreational users of Glider Road that we understand the significance of this situation."
Louverdis said it was working with the Hang Glider Club and other recreational groups about alternative access.
"All possible solutions will be evaluated from a cost and time perspective before remedial works are considered and we ask for patience as we work through this process."
The Involution track remains open along with surrounding tracks including Scout Track, Widdershins, Piwakawaka and the Loop/Weir tracks.
Louverdis said work was planned over coming months to fix some of the smaller water related issues on the lower tracks.