How a NSW bike trail attracted controversy – and ‘deliberately placed’ nails

The Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, which makes use of disused train tracks, has proved controversial. Photograph: Rail Trail

When a new section of a New South Wales bike trail opened at the start of March, it was touted as a “spectacular” project that would attract more visitors in the area.

But a month on, police say they’re investigating hundreds of tacks, nails and screws that they believe were “deliberately placed” on the track and the local mayor is admitting the council dropped the ball when it came to consulting the public on the project.