Work has commenced on a $300,000 trial makeover around the New Plymouth Cenotaph to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians.
Construction teams moved onto the lower end of Queen Street this week to begin work on the 12-month layout trial.
The project transforms the western side of the war memorial into a pedestrian-only space using planters, astroturf and coloured road surfaces.
Drivers will now find Queen Street converted into a one-way thoroughfare between St Aubyn and Young streets, with entry restricted to left-turning traffic from St Aubyn Street.
NPDC Senior Infrastructure Project Manager Gaye Batty said the council collaborated closely with local residents, the RSA and Ngāti Te Whiti hapū to shape the layout.
“The Cenotaph is a place of reflection and ceremony to remember those who gave their lives in service to the country,” Batty said.
She explained that creating the pedestrian zone between the monument and the Cenotaph Rock Garden aims to enhance the overall dignity of the historic site.
Managing traffic around the monument has long posed challenges for city planners.
The Cenotaph sits inside a complicated Y-shaped intersection that forces Queen Street traffic into four directions across two junctions with St Aubyn Street.
According to Batty, high traffic volumes and restricted sightlines during peak hours frequently compromise safety in the area.
While the project shifts some of the 20 existing car parks, the total number of spaces remains unchanged, including a designated mobility park.
Property access for nearby businesses and buildings is also fully maintained throughout the trial phase.
Funding for the $300,000 initiative is split, with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi covering 51% of the costs.
Elected members will receive a comprehensive report containing road data and public feedback after 12 months to determine the permanent future of the site.
Dating back to its unveiling in 1924, the 10-metre-tall monument is crafted from local andesite stone and features a symbolic empty casket. It has remained the cornerstone of local Anzac Day remembrance services for over a century.
This trial fits into the wider New Plymouth City Centre Strategy, which was adopted by the Mayor and councillors of the time in late 2021.
Other works under the strategy include the West End Crossing, which spans the other end of Queen Street and parts of Devon and King streets, with completion expected within the coming month.
Future stages of the inner-city plan involve daylighting the Huatoki Stream between Devon and Powderham streets, alongside replacing Devon Street's ageing alder trees.
