A residents group holding up construction of the SkyPath bridge in Auckland (New Zealand) has abandoned its appeal in the Environment Court.

The Northcote Residents' Association withdrew its appeal against Auckland Council's resource consent for the SkyPath, a transformational project to provide a shared path along the city side of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Originally there were six residents' groups opposing SkyPath. One of them, the Northcote Point Heritage Preservation Society (NPHPS), is still appealing the SkyPath resource consent. NPHPS do not object to the project outright but rather have requirements for its operation including: limitations on user numbers, a suitable parking scheme and their own recommended operating hours.

Auckland Council gave the green light to the SkyPath cycleway and walkway PPP project in July 2015.

The project will be an attractive, semi-enclosed facility that will appeal to recreational users and visitors as well as commuters. Combined with 'SeaPath' to the north and the Westhaven Promenade to the south, SkyPath will link the communities of Auckland.

It is proposed to be 4m wide (and 6m wide at the five viewing platforms) and fixed to the eastern clip-on lane of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

The SkyPath's estimated cost of A$33.5 million (US$24.8 million) includes observation decks, access ramps, bridge strengthening works, lighting and a contingency sum of US$4 million.