Nelson's MP is pushing for a shared pathway to go ahead after it was dropped from the Government's transport priorities.
Supporters say the project will strengthen the seawall and improve safety for cyclists, but not everyone buys into the project.
The State Highway 6 Hope Bypass transport project survived the Government transition, but the same cannot be said for a much-needed upgrade of the Rocks Road waterfront in the Nelson region.
Despite being touted as the Rocks Rd shared path project, a significant portion of the $200 million project would have gone towards resilience issues and renewing the seawall.
"It's ridiculous to suggest it's a nice-to-have because the project is about both parts, it is about the resilience, and it is about the walking and cycling," said Nelson MP Rachel Boyack.
"If we're going to do the resilience upgrades that we have to do… then at the same time we should also do improvements to walking and cycling."
An upgrade of the active travel facilities along Rocks Rd, itself a section of State Highway 6, was proposed to take place within 10 years of the 2021 adoption of the Nelson Future Access Project – an investigation into Nelson's transport issues.
A replacement of the seawall was due to be investigated at the same time, but the entire project has been put on hold since the Government has signalled its change in priorities and dropped Rocks Rd from its draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on land transport.
The GPS will then inform the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
Both the GPS and National Land Transport Programme must be completed before it is known whether the Rocks Rd project would be included in the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi's future planning.
Minister of Transport Simeon Brown said that specific regional projects not identified by name could still be considered for funding provided they meet the priorities outlined in the land transport policy.
Boyack hoped that Brown's position meant there was still an opportunity to have the project committed to, pointing to the new GPS's priorities of economic resilience and safety.
"This project meets both of those tests. It is unsafe at the moment for people walking and cycling… and it is an economic resilience issue. When we have these weather events or other events that cause the road to close, it causes massive issues for our transport network," she said.
"It would be silly for us to not make a really strong case to the Government as a region that we need this project too."
Boyack has launched a petition to get it re-included as a governmental transport priority, and it appears there is strong community support for the project in some form.
Tāhunnui Business and Community Association chair Jacinda Stevenson had reservations about the full project's "exorbitant" price tag but agreed urgent change is needed on Rocks Rd.
"I don't believe we can wait that long when there are people that aren't able to access either town or our beachside community," she said.
"Currently, if there are two mobility scooter users coming from opposite directions, one of them has to back up to allow the other person to get past, which I believe is totally unacceptable."
She believed a solution could be found within the current road corridor and could be easily addressed by combining the existing cycleway and footpath facilities, alongside several other minor improvements.
"It's all about equity for everyone. That's making it safe for everyone to use the beachfront."
Local cycling advocates agreed that action is needed.
"Every time you ride it, you feel like you're taking your life into your own hands," said Bicycle Nelson Bays convenor Bevan Woodward.
"A separated shared pathway is a priority, and planning should not be delayed any longer," added Gillian Wratt, chair of the Nelson Tasman Cycle Trails Trust.
Peter Olorenshaw, convener for sustainable transport group Nelsust, wanted the project to be a top priority for the region.
"Make active and public transport attractive options so there'll be fewer people using the roads making more space for those that have to or really want to drive."
While he believed the current proposal to build out the seawall was "impractically expensive", he suggested that a boardwalk esplanade would be less complex to gain resource consent for and would shield the road from the large waves that can occasionally close it.
Not everyone buys into the project.
But even though there is some disagreement in the community about what form the Rocks Rd project should take, it has since received backing from local decision-makers.
The region's joint transport committee, consisting of representatives from both Nelson City and Tasman District Councils, agreed on its submission to the Government's draft GPS last week, which included a request that the project be included as a project of regional significance.
Boyack said the news is encouraging.
"The longer we kick it for touch, the more risk there is to the road, and the more expensive it will be."
Submissions on the Government's draft GPS close on 2 April.
Local Democracy Reporting is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
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