Access closed: Intake Road - Mcleans Island, Christchurch

[mattsdakar]

Hey guys,

On Sunday 25 Oct went for a ride upstream on south side of Waimak from Chattertons rd, when we got to the little rail line bridge on city side of Intake found it all fenced off with steel cabling....no way thru.
I climbed thru and walked to where bridge was...it has been removed so unless you ford the deep irrigation channel it is now not possible to ride along the gravel road from Mcleans Is to the Waimak gorge bridge which sucks!!!

[1zero]

Hey guys,

On Sunday 25 Oct went for a ride upstream on south side of Waimak from Chattertons rd, when we got to the little rail line bridge on city side of Intake found it all fenced off with steel cabling....no way thru.
I climbed thru and walked to where bridge was...it has been removed so unless you ford the deep irrigation channel it is now not possible to ride along the gravel road from Mcleans Is to the Waimak gorge bridge which sucks!!!

Heres why from Ecan, this affects me too.

Due to Environment Canterbury and Selwyn District Councils obligations under Health and Safety legislation we are having to remove the bridge that currently crosses the Paparua Intake, at Intake Road. This bridge does not meet current code and there is no funding at present to be able to replace it. We will be installing double barriers on both sides of the intake to prevent people from riding into the Intake if they are unaware that the bridge has been moved.

Fresh signage will also be installed to ensure everyone is aware that the bridge is gone. You will still have access to the ford that exists just upstream of the bridge, but you will need to ensure you have the correct skills and vehicle for such a crossing. - See more at: http://www.tracktion.co.nz/blog/79/october-2015-waimak-trail-bike-area-update.aspx#sthash.PyTK9eqP.dpuf

[cynna]

im going to wait until they tarseal the track and trim those branches before i go in there. too dangerous for me

[KX500]

I'll be taking a shovel and making a mound and jumping the sucker !

[neels]

Health and safety seems to be an excuse for removing anything that could be remotely considered fun. :weep:

I guess it's time to sit on the couch wrapped in cotton wool, waiting for type 2 diabetes to kick in......

[flashg]

The area on the right when heading down Weedons Ross road has some nice trails in it. We came across some people on horses three weeks ago and they told us that whole area was being given to them to use and we would not be allowed in or around there. Bigger although the signs do say no trail bikes. With all the logging due to wind damage, and fire damage (thanks NZ Army) we have lost some good trails.

[Stylo]

The area on the right when heading down Weedons Ross road has some nice trails in it. We came across some people on horses three weeks ago and they told us that whole area was being given to them to use and we would not be allowed in or around there. Bigger although the signs do say no trail bikes. With all the logging due to wind damage, and fire damage (thanks NZ Army) we have lost some good trails.

Sounds very PC to me, we used to be able to ride from McLean's Is all the way up to the Willows and further. Already the North bank of the river is un-rideable due to the 'sanitisation' Nazi's with their fenced off areas ( Thanks Waimak council).

It's all bullshit.

Was thinking of taking a ride this weekend, what's the track like west of Weedons Ross Rd between there and the intake ?

[flashg]

Go in to that area and head back towards flood bank (other side of fence) there's some tracks in those blocks, but they are tight and slow going mostly, just explore and find what you can. It's all fun. You should consider doing Waipara trail ride, I really rate that ride, I'll be there

[1zero]

The area on the right when heading down Weedons Ross road has some nice trails in it. We came across some people on horses three weeks ago and they told us that whole area was being given to them to use and we would not be allowed in or around there. Bigger although the signs do say no trail bikes. With all the logging due to wind damage, and fire damage (thanks NZ Army) we have lost some good trails.

Yep, 350ha goneburger.........
http://ecan.govt.nz/news-and-notices/news/pages/new-horse-riding-park.aspx

[Stylo]

Yep, 350ha goneburger.........
http://ecan.govt.nz/news-and-notices/news/pages/new-horse-riding-park.aspx

Can't have all those nasty trail bike riders having fun when you might get a couple of horses per weekend out there.

You'd think they would have a trial period first. When was the last time you had your bikes on the trailer on a Sunday morning and noticed a horse trailer ?

[Tazz]

Can't have all those nasty trail bike riders having fun when you might get a couple of horses per weekend out there.

You'd think they would have a trial period first. When was the last time you had your bikes on the trailer on a Sunday morning and noticed a horse trailer ?

Agree, however, I also reckon an area like that is way better than the side of the road like most seem to do. Lets hope it's well used so worth while.

[cynna]

and we lost access on the north side as a large area was also turned into a horse park...... guess it saves them driving there car a bit further

[1zero]

Hey guys,

On Sunday 25 Oct went for a ride upstream on south side of Waimak from Chattertons rd, when we got to the little rail line bridge on city side of Intake found it all fenced off with steel cabling....no way thru.
I climbed thru and walked to where bridge was...it has been removed so unless you ford the deep irrigation channel it is now not possible to ride along the gravel road from Mcleans Is to the Waimak gorge bridge which sucks!!!

We rode up to the Intake from Weedons Ross on Saturday and forded that irrigation channel with no probs really, take the downstream left side of ford and at the deepest it was close to the top of the front wheel, it is do-able.

317153

[cynna]

We rode up to the Intake from Weedons Ross on Saturday and forded that irrigation channel with no probs really, take the downstream left side of ford and at the deepest it was close to the top of the front wheel, it is do-able.

317153


looks way deeper then that - wasnt sure if i could trust the depth ruler or not...

no funds for a bridge but how much did it cost for all those new fences and signs...... bit overboard to protect someone from crossing a bridge that is no longer there - surely a post in the middle of where it used to be would have been sufficent

[1zero]

looks way deeper then that - wasnt sure if i could trust the depth ruler or not...

no funds for a bridge but how much did it cost for all those new fences and signs...... bit overboard to protect someone from crossing a bridge that is no longer there - surely a post in the middle of where it used to be would have been sufficent

Stick to the downstream side of ford and you'll be fine.
Bridge replacement was nothing about funding but all about Health & Safety, particularly with new H&S regs coming in, it's all bullshit.