Ngatai Road residents are relieved any decision to sell-off a nearby walkway is being given serious thought until after next month's local body elections.

The nearby walkway.

Tauranga City Council announced during the week their decision to give the informal Ngatai Rd and Seaview Terrace Rd walkway and beach access a reprieve so it does not get caught up in any election campaigning.

Earlier this year, nearby residents were shocked to receive letters outlining council's intentions to sell-off and close the walkway because it is dangerous and requires on-going maintenance costs.

The residents believe a significant number of people use the walkway daily, including school children and people exercising and walking their dogs.

Ngatai Rd resident Gary Ware is pleased council is not rushing into any decisions with the walkway in what he sees as a great asset to the community.

'Even though it's never sign-posted, people do use it and if it was sign-posted more people would use it I'm sure,” says Gary.

”I am pleased they are taking it quite seriously and will sit down rather than rush it. The mayor is pushing for more cycle and walkways and I think he didn't want to make the decision straight away but to leave it for a while.”

This week about seven residents met with a sympathetic Tauranga City Mayor Stuart Crosby discussing their concerns and what council is looking to do with the area.

Gary, a resident for 30 years, uses the walkway regularly and says it will be a shame to see it lost.

During last month's public consultation period, TCC infrastructure services manager Ian Gooden said any decision was put on hold so it could go before council. He did not rule out further other options instead of closing the walkway altogether.

Council are outlining three options for the well-worn strip of grass – leave it as it is, close it and sell it, or upgrade it.

'It is unsafe and if we wanted to have it used on a regular basis – if it is determined that there is enough use for it and desire to have it used – then we will upgrade it but that will cost tens of thousands of dollars,” said Ian.

Tauranga City Council city transportation manager Martin Parkes acknowledges there is a lot of public interest about the future of the accessway but council's primary concern is to seek comment from those living directly adjacent.

He adds council staff are not in the position to make a decision on the future of the accessway but rather councillors must decide at a later date.

'In due course a report will be presented to them [the councillors]. However with the forthcoming election it is not our intention to put the matter before council until later in the year,” says Martin.

'At this stage we have not invited submissions from the general public. This will happen if staff are given direction from councillors that they wish the accessway to be closed.”