Auckland Transport's High St closure sign of things to come

Sunday, 16 December 2018

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says the council is 'turning over our streets to the people of Auckland'.

In a taste of things to come, Auckland Transport is closing High St in the central city to traffic next week.

In November, Auckland councillors voted to ban cars from Queen St and to accelerate trials of vehicle bans on other streets around the city.

Planning Committee chairman Chris Darby says High Street's closure is a sign of things to come.

Now, in a first for the central city, Mayor Phil Goff's office has announced High St will be shut off to cars on December 20 in support of Heart of the City's Late Night Christmas.

Goff said the closure was part of Auckland Council's wider move to pedestrianise parts of the CBD.

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'Christmas is coming to life in our central city. As part of the Open Streets initiative, we're turning over our streets to the people of Auckland and creating a real sense of Christmas wonder at this special time of year,' he said.

'I'm pleased Auckland Council can play its part by facilitating street closures that will bring people together in the heart of our city and give them a taste of what it's like to walk our streets, rather than drive.'

Late Night Christmas would see shops open late, as well as street performances on Queen St, Elliott and Darby streets, Fort St, Freyberg Place, Takutai Square and Federal and High streets.

Planning Committee chairman Chris Darby said the closure of High St in particular was 'a taste of the future to come – the first of many bold and exciting ideas that celebrate the changing face of our city centre'.

'We're creating better public spaces, and healthier spaces too,' he said.

'This will be a kiwi Christmas in the city – our streets thriving with people celebrating the summer season and supporting local businesses.'

Council's Queen St car ban will happen after the building of light rail lines and could be seven years or more away.