JOHN BISSET/Stuff A runner uses the closed section of the Smithfield Walkway in February 2021 after a gate was removed. But the walkway may open again officially, with Alliance general manager manufacturing Willie Wiese saying “Alliance is finalising a proposal to temporarily open the pathway and is in discussions with Environment Canterbury about this”. Wiese had previously said “an in-depth site investigation identified relatively low levels of asbestos-containing fragments within some historic building materials, which a previous landowner had likely used to in-fill the land many years ago”. Environment Canterbury southern zone lead Peter Burt said “We have established a methodology with Alliance to eliminate asbestos exposure so the walkway can reopen”.