A Horowhenua District Council proposal to build a cycleway linking the Horowhenua and Tararua districts has been welcomed by Tararua Mayor Maureen Reynolds although it has yet to officially come before the council.
The proposed route dubbed The Missing Link would bridge the regions via a 40km track between Shannon and Eketahuna involving a 570 metres elevation at the top of the range.
It aims to show case the natural environment of the Tararua Ranges by connecting with the 'Nature Coast' hinterland.
The Eketahuna Community Board has already expressed interest in the project and has received a visual presentation from Horowhenua District Council staff.
That council is now putting a working party together to undertake an $80,000 feasibility study on whether it should go ahead.
Whilst acknowledging that the project was still in its infancy Mrs Reynolds said the "spinoffs" for the southern end of the region in particular could be significant.
"It would be fantastic if both councils could work together on this," she said.
