The cordon around Christchurch's red zone has been relaxed to allow tertiary students into the city centre next week.
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) last night reduced the cordon on Hereford St and upper High St, around the Triangle Centre area.
Avonmore Tertiary Institute had asked for the cordon to be reduced to enable its students to access its new premises there from Tuesday.
Cera plans to further reduce the cordon on Colombo St, between Hereford and Lichfield streets, ahead of the entire red zone being reopened by the end of June.
Once the full cordon is lifted, fencing will remain around sites where demolition, construction or infrastructure work is being carried out.
