The Streets for People project on Grey Street is from Childers Road roundabout to just past the skate park.

This trial project to make this area more vibrant, fun and improve safety for all road users on different modes of transport. By using traffic calming measures like road art, planter boxes and pedestrian crossings, it encourages drivers to slow down as they enter Grey Street and makes it a safer place for everyone.

Update on Kahutia / Grey Street intersection

Work starts next week to reopen the Kahutia / Grey Street intersection to through traffic.
The work will be carried out over 3 nights starting Monday 25 November, weather dependent.

The road will be closed to carry out the work quickly and done at night to minimise disruption. Traffic management with detours will be in place during the works.

Work includes:

• stop signs on Kahutia Street at the Grey Street intersection
• removing painted artwork to reinstate the centreline
• taking out the red painted crossing from Grey St at the intersection. People will be able to cross the road by the Cosmopolitan Club or iSite.

Rather than installing raised pedestrian crossings, we’ll adapt and use temporary speed humps on Kahutia Street. The concrete separators will be moved further along the road.

The Council at its meeting on Wednesday 6 November considered options for the intersection following a safety audit and agreed on a recommendation to reinstate the intersection.

About the trial

The trial is in place for 12 months, until 31 July 2025. You can give us your feedback on the form below.

The safety engineer completed a site inspection on 30 July, the report will be available on Monday 4 November.

Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the new layout will continue. Part of the monitoring is by cameras and periodic site inspections including car park use and availability, traffic and pedestrian numbers.

When will it be decided if it's permanent?

The changes will be made permanent only if and when they're measured as successful in improving the safety and accessibility of Grey Street.

The 12 month trial period is recommended to allow people to adapt to the changes.

The decision will be made by elected members.

Any safety issues identified during the trial will be reviewed by our engineers and changes will be made immediately where required.

How the project is funded

Streets for People is 90% funded by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and 10% funded by Gisborne District Council.

The 10% funding for this project comes from funding in the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan and Regional Land Transport Plan projects. The funding from NZTA must be spent on this project, it can't be spent elsewhere, for example on fixing potholes or anything else.

The project's being delivered in partnership with Gisborne District Council, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust.

Active modes of transport are a great way to get from A to B outside of a car, you'll see a dual direction cycleway that connects with Alfred Cox Park shared path to Grey Street. There's colour and vibrancy thanks to Tai Uehā, our way finder Tohu that will lead you through Grey Street.