Shared and pedestrian zones approved for The Strand

The Council has decided The Strand, Kororāreka / Russell’s iconic waterfront road, will remain a shared space from the middle of Cass Street to the northern boat ramp. The southern end of the road will be a pedestrian priority area with access for essential vehicles.

The decision in July, followed a six-month trial of the proposal to let locals and visitors experience possible changes to The Strand before a permanent solution was decided. Adoption of the trial was endorsed by the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board and supported by the majority of those surveyed on the proposal.

The survey attracted 383 submissions, with 65.7 per cent of respondents supporting pedestrian priority on some or all of The Strand. Sixty-three per cent of respondents also reported that their experience of the street was the same or better since the trial began with many noting that reduced traffic had improved the atmosphere of the area.

Before making its decision, the council listened to deputations from five members of the Kororāreka / Russell community who shared opinions both for and against aspects of the proposal.

As a result of those deputations, the council supported the retention of temporary features on Cass Street until a permanent roading design is developed by the Roading Working Group and the council’s Transport Group. That design will be consistent with the Kororāreka Russell Historic Township Overlay and will be presented to the community for feedback before being installed. The council also agreed that planters and a barrel should be moved back toward Russell Fresh to improve access to a mobility car park and that clearer signage be installed to identify the boundary of a loading zone.

The Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board requested that unspent Town Beautification funding be carried forward into this financial year to fund the implementation of the permanent roading infrastructure in Cass Street. The council will consider this request at its September meeting.