The allocation of $200,000 for a path linking the new suburb of Pemulwuy to Sydney's bicycle network has highlighted a major gap in the region's cycleways.
Cycle groups said the safety of the Lower Prospect Canal cycleway had been compromised when a heritage-listed section was closed in May to allow for extension of the Prospect Highway, forcing cyclists to cross The Horsley Drive.
Residents of the rapidly growing Pemulwuy will have direct and safe access to the Sydney bicycle network when the path to the Lower Prospect Canal cycleway is finished in seven weeks.
Small Business Minister Joe Tripodi stood in for Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal last Thursday to announce $200,000 for the job.
Canal Reserve Action Group president Steve Morton welcomed the funding but said the project highlighted concerns about safety while the section of the Lower Prospect Canal cycleway remained closed.
"The burning issue remains, and that is the [need for] funding of a bridge to cross the Prospect Highway [Reconciliation Road] extension at Widemere,'' he said.
"This bridge must be built to retain the safety that the Lower Prospect Canal Reserve cycleway has become renowned for.''
Mr Tripodi said he was sure Mr Roozendaal was aware of the situation.
"Obviously it has to be lined up against a whole range of other projects,'' he said.
"The weight of the argument, and desire to get the bridge is there, but they will have to compare it to all their other capital works priorities.''
A spokesman said the RTA was negotiating with Boral, developer of the technology park, about the canal section.