Parkes residents will soon have access to a series of new bike paths around town.
Locals are encouraged to take a test ride or walk along the 1.3km of bike pathway from Bushman Street to Webb Street already completed. Construction on the 1.8km section along Renshaw McGirr Way is expected to be complete soon.
The Parkes Phoenix caught up with a resident who was walking on the pathway. She said it was an excellent idea and that it would make their regular walk more in- teresting.
The new Water Treatment Plant (WTP) project will not only secure our water sup- ply in years to come, but the installment of new pipelines is also being put to good use to create new pathways. Several sections of raw and treated water pipelines need to be replaced and the disturbed strips of soil are being transformed into bike paths, which will eventually connect to form a cy- cle network across the town.
Parkes Shire Council’s Director Infrastructure, Andrew Francis said: “The Urban Water Mains Augmentation (UWMA) contractors have done a tremendous job of converting the previously unused pipeline corridor into an asset for the community to use and enjoy.”
“As part of the UWMA project, Leed Engineering and Construction were commis- sioned to design and construct a bike path to follow the pipeline alignment.
The gravel used to construct the bike paths was procured locally through West- lime, with Council crews were assisting throughout the construction phase.
Construction of the bike paths was done in accordance with the Parkes Pedestrian and Cycling Plan, which aims to improve pedestrian and cycling access throughout town and enhance health and wellbeing opportunities for residents and visitors.