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Wellington will soon have a pedestrian and cycle path on the coast between Ngauranga and Petone.

The New Zealand Transport Agency has announced the pathway will run alongside the railway between the two train stations.

New Zealand Transport Agency regional director Raewyn Bleakely said the $35 million path will act as a buffer, stopping the rail and road from being damaged by strong seas, as seen in the June 2013 storms.

“That will help protect some of the most critical sections of our transport system so that we don’t get as much disruption when we have these types of events in future.”

That’s a notion backed up by Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace.

“From the resilience we’ve seen this area taken out by storm. Putting it on the sea side would pretty much nullify any opportunity of that happening again.”

Bleakely said the pathway’s position, right next to the ocean, was influenced by community feedback too.

In addition, she said the visual appeal and expected enjoyment of having a seaside pathway helped in making the decision.

Funding for the pathway will be shared between local government and the National Land Transport Programme and Wallace is particularly happy with this.

“That’s positive – [the government] recognise there is a need for cycling and walking opportunities. It brings the two cities a real, proper connection.”

Construction on the path is expected to start in 2018 at the earliest.