Our speaker this week was Gerard Hyland the chairman of the Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust an advocate for the opening of a walking & biking trail between Dunedin & Mosgiel via the former Caversham & Chain Hill rail tunnelsThe Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust was formed in 2009 to facilitate the reopening of the tunnels after the DCC closed them for health & safety reasons
The 865m long Caversham tunnel was opened is 1872 & the 462m long Chain Hills tunnel in 1875 but they were soon replaced with 2 rail tunnels to overcome a bottleneck posed by a single rail line.
Gerard advises the DCC have taken on board the project as part of the annual plan with the budget to be approved later this month. The project that is planned to start in 2003 will take 4 years to complete and will comprise an integrated trail connecting with existing trails on Barnes Drive Caversham and new trails from Wingatui into central Mosgiel.
The trust is hoping the DCC will allow the Trust to reopen the Chain Hills tunnel so they can form a loop track using volunteer labour including the Taieri & Mosgiel Rotary Clubs.
A fascinating address enhanced with old & recent photos of the tunnels along with plans of the trail routes.
