New Plymouth District Council has opted for a localised trial of alternative cycleway barriers, stopping short of the immediate, full-scale removal of the controversial “Tim Tam Alley” separators that many residents had anticipated following the recent election.
At a marathon final meeting for 2025, fifteen members of the public presented emotive deputations, largely criticising the concrete blocks on State Highway 45 for causing vehicle damage and creating new safety hazards.
Shane Devlin, who has consistently campaigned against the project, was among those urging councillors to undo what has been described as a terrible decision that cost local businesses essential parking.
Mayor Max attempted to push through a resolution that would have seen the concrete blocks progressively removed and replaced with rubber alternatives by the end of 2027. However, his ambitious plan was defeated in a 10-4 vote, as a majority of councillors took issue with the long-term timeline and associated costs.
A further attempt by Councillor Murray Chong to enact “Option 5” – the complete removal of all separators and the reinstatement of car parks – also failed to find majority support.
That option was the most expensive path presented in the meeting agenda, with an estimated price tag of $1.63 million. Council officers warned that such a move, which is currently unbudgeted, could require a 1.1% rates increase, a figure that appeared to deter several members despite the clear community preference for returning the road to its original state.
Ultimately, a compromise motion put forward by Councillor David Bublitz was carried 9-6. This successful resolution directs staff to undertake a trial on the section between Morley Street and Belt Road using an alternative separator that provides the ability for most vehicles to cross them without damage.
While this represents a small victory for those frustrated by the rigid concrete islands, it leaves the bulk of the infrastructure in place for the foreseeable future, ignoring the staff recommendation to simply monitor the current design until September 2026.
The results of this localised experiment will eventually be reported back to the council, after which the decision will be made as to whether the “Tim Tams” will finally be consigned to the history books or remain a permanent, if unpopular, fixture in New Plymouth.
