Courtenay Place may be closed to traffic

Wellington’s Courtenay Place could be closed to traffic when the city welcomes back bar patrons in just over a week.

City councillor Diane Calvert said closing the central city street was being considered as part of plans to make the area a safer and more attractive place to visit when bars reopened.

Bars across the country will be able to open from May 21, and the council is bracing for an influx of foot traffic.

‘‘We want to support hospitality businesses and the nighttime economy in operating safely,’’ Calvert said.

‘‘There are lots of elements to consider taxis, people.

‘‘We need to figure out what will work best.’’

While nothing had yet been finalised, blocking traffic from Courtenay Place – between Kent/ different – buses,

Cambridge Tce and Taranaki St – was part of the discussion, she said.

‘‘Anything is on the table.’’ The final plan would take into account social distancing requirements as part of alert level 2, as well as making the area as welcoming as possible, Calvert said.

It would be designed with input from police, businesses and other relevant parties.

In January, Wellington area commander Inspector Chris Bensemann proposed tidying up the central city street to make the area safer.

He said the street was the worst he had seen it in years, and at the time had just met with Wellington mayor Andy Foster and councillor Iona Pannett to discuss ways to improve it.

The street may eventually be closed to traffic anyway, with discussions under way to pedestrianise much of the Golden Mile as part of the $6.4 billion Let’s Get Wellington Moving programme.