About $1 million will be needed for a proposed shared pathway to clip on to a new rail bridge over the Waikouaiti River north of Dunedin.

Planning for a cycle trail north of Dunedin has picked up pace. The project had secured support from landowners and KiwiRail was supportive in principle, Coastal Communities Cycle Connection representative Emily Cooper said.

A plan to connect the coastal communities north of Dunedin with a shared-use path for cycling and walking is underway after the group behind the project received funding from the Lottery Community Facilities Fund. The Dunedin Tracks Network Trust has received $28,750 for the costs of preparing a technical feasibility study for the proposed cycleway project.