Mt Eden summit vehicle ban confirmed likely by end of year

A ban preventing cars from accessing the summit of Mt Eden is likely by the end of the year. Photo / Dean Purcell

A ban on cars from the summit of Mt Eden, one of Auckland's most popular tourist spots, has been confirmed as likely by the end of this year.

The Maunga Authority that oversees Auckland volcanic cones says consideration of pedestrian safety, congestion and damage to the maunga led to a "unanimous" decision to extend a ban on heavy vehicles including coaches since 2011.

Maunga Authority chairman Paul Majurey said the stopping of coaches and buses at a lay-by 200m of the summit had eased congestion and people walking and cycling to the top had embraced the much safer walk to the top of maunga.

People were excited about the enhanced experience at the ancestral place of Maungawhau/Mt Eden, said Mr Majurey.

The authority was considering the effect of the decision for people with limited mobility by looking at options for them to continue driving up.

Auckland Council staff were looking at installing two electric gates with an access code for people with limited mobility.

The authority was given an estimate of $100,000 to install gates though no quotes had been received.

Arrangements for the traffic ban, including gates, parking for 30 cars and signage, were subject to budget decisions to be made next month.

The process by which the authority decided the ban was criticised by Act leader and Epsom MP David Seymour.

"Mt Eden is special to many people, its governance should be inclusive, but instead we will see electric gates and exclusion resulting from a secretive process."

An all-vehicles ban received overwhelming support in a Herald-DigiPoll survey in January.
In all, 54 per cent of people in Auckland were in favour compared with 68 per cent of non Aucklanders.