KEY POINTS:
Private parking will be banned from Queen St and taxi stands relocated to a side street to try and reduce gridlock caused by the $41 million upgrade of the Golden Mile.
Auckland City transport general manager Dr Stephen Rainbow said 22 private parking spaces not already affected by construction work between Wellesley and Customs Sts would be turned into loading bays to provide greater access for businesses.
Parking wardens would also be more vigilant to provide easier access for businesses and buses.
Six remaining taxi stands on the busiest blocks are being relocated to Wyndham St. Another 25 taxi stands just off Queen St in Victoria and Wellesley Sts are not affected.
The measures are due to come into effect from today and stay in place until work is completed between Wellesley and Customs Sts in July. An extra team of 20 workers has hastened work building tree pits, laying kerbing, paving and installing light poles and street furniture but also caused more disruption.
Dr Rainbow said traffic volumes were down since the council introduced "soft" measures, including more signs and radio advertising advising motorists of delays. He would not rule out further measures, including banning private cars altogether during peak hours, if the traffic gridlock did not improve.
The policy of the council and Auckland Regional Transport Authority to effectively do nothing and let motorists get a taste of snarl-ups, failed. Buses meant to take seven minutes from the bottom of Queen St to Karangahape Rd have been taking up to 30 minutes.
Dr Rainbow and Heart of the City chief executive Alex Swney yesterday urged people to use alternatives routes or consider public transport.
"We are taking the necessary steps to ensure Queen St, New Zealand's premier street, continues to function throughout the works," Dr Rainbow said.
Mr Swney was grateful the council was speeding up and doing more work, even if the downside was greater disruption. "The sooner construction workers are in and out of here, the better," he said.
* An earlier version of this story said North Shore buses that stop outside the Civic Theatre would be relocated to Albert St. This was not correct, there will be no change to the bus stops.
