30 January 2026
Council is moving ahead with changes to Grey Street following the conclusion of the Streets for People trial and decision by elected members to adopt a hybrid option – reinstate the pre-trial layout between Childers Road and Kahutia Street and maintain pedestrian and safety features.
The decision follows a 12-month trial that aimed to make Grey Street safer and more accessible for all users.
Funded 90% by Waka Kotahi and delivered in partnership with Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust, the project tested a range of temporary street treatments such as traffic calming, pedestrian crossings and a bi-directional cycleway.
An independent review confirmed the trial successfully reduced vehicle speeds and improved crossing safety but also highlighted key issues – particularly around parking access, confusing layouts and usability for larger vehicles.
Of the 1,100+ submissions received, nearly 90% of respondents felt the trial hadn’t met its objectives.
Late last year, Council met on-site with representatives from the Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust and the Grey Street Restoration Group to confirm the next steps.
“It was really important to bring both groups together and work through what’s practical and cost-effective,” says Director Community Lifelines Tim Barry.
“There was general agreement to focus on the section between Childers Road and Kahutia Street first, while retaining key pedestrian safety improvements.”
The parties came to general approval about removing elements from Childers Road to Kahutia Street and keeping the crossing points.
“All parties agreed that costs needed to be kept down, so reinstatement will be phased and integrated with contractor maintenance programmes where possible,” says Mr Barry.
Phase one of the restorations will begin on Tuesday 3 February 2026, and will include:
- Removal of the green-painted cycle lane and installation of a formal pedestrian crossing on Childers Road (near Business Applications).
- Removal of several speed humps (outside Tyre General and its service lane, and Walter Findlay’s entrance).
- De-cluttering of signage and traffic-calming elements.
Council will monitor the street over a two-week period before progressing further removal work to relocate the streetlight from the crossing near to Cosmopolitan Club. Once that is complete, angle parking can be reinstated where the blue cycleway is located.
The work could take up to four months to fully implement.
“We know the project has sparked strong views across the community. We’re now taking a managed, phased approach that balances road user safety, affordability and practicality,” says Mr Barry.
“There won’t be further public consultation at this stage – we’re working directly with the main groups involved and focusing on making the street work better for everyone.”
The work will be carried out by local contractors, with many elements to be reused or repurposed elsewhere.
Find out more about the trial Streets for People - Grey Street