AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

21 March 2007

Auckland City Council addresses traffic concerns on Queen Street

A number of additional measures will be put in place to address traffic disruption as part of the Queen Street upgrade by Auckland City Council.

These measures include:

- Temporarily converting all P15 parking on Queen Street into loading bays to provide greater access for business.

- Increase parking enforcement on Queen Street to provide easier access for businesses and public transport.

- Temporarily relocate all taxi stands on Queen Street to Wyndham Street.

- Temporarily relocate some bus services to surrounding streets.

The council’s General Manager of Transport Dr Stephen Rainbow says that a number of practical measures will take effect.

“We are taking the necessary steps to ensure Queen Street, New Zealand’s premiere street, continues to function throughout the works.

“Our planned measures will support business and reduce delays for bus services while maintaining safe pedestrian access. It is not necessary to ban private vehicles from Queen Street at this time.

“Recent monitoring indicates that traffic volumes are decreasing as drivers take alternative routes to visit the CBD. There are a number of ways to get to the CBD and we ask that during the works people consider public transport or using alternative routes, said Dr Rainbow.

The council continues to progress the construction of the $41 million Queen Street upgrade. Currently construction works between Wellesley and Customs streets are nine weeks ahead of schedule with an expected completion date of July 2007.

Queen Street is open for business and the council will continue to monitor traffic conditions on Queen Street.

ENDS

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