Coronavirus: Space cleared on central Auckland’s Queen St for social distancing
Wednesday, 29 April 2020
Traffic lanes on Auckland's main shopping street have been reduced to allow more space for social distancing in Covid-19 alert level 3.
One traffic lane in each direction on Queen St, between Customs St and Shortland St, were temporarily removed on Tuesday to provide more space for people walking, cycling and waiting for a bus.
Similar changes will take place further up the street in the coming weeks as the nation continues it’s partial lockdown to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said that with the numbers of people using Queen Street every day, changes were needed to provide additional space to meet physical distancing requirements.
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'These changes mean that Queen Street will prioritise access for essential business traffic, loading and servicing, emergency vehicles, public transport, and those needing to access private car parking, while ensuring that pedestrians can maintain physical distance to help break the chain of COVID-19 transmission,” he said.
Bus routes will not be affected, loading zones for deliveries will continue to be provided but private vehicles will be restricted from making through trips on Queen Street, with movements banned at some locations.
Parking and transport officers will assist police with public safety and will provide people with guidance and advice on using public transport, as well as social distancing.
Auckland Council‘s planning committee chairman Chris Darby said teams had been putting in the hard yards over Anzac Day weekend, to prepare for the influx of pedestrians needing more breathing room.
'Pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users will all benefit from these changes, which build towards a more walk-friendly city-centre throughout Level 3 and beyond,” he said.
Similar changes will be applied further up Queen St in the next two weeks as far south as Mayoral Drive, and will be monitored and may be adjusted over time.