Town Belt Active Travel Trial

The Town Belt Active Travel Trial aimed to enhance the recreation and amenity potential of our city’s Town Belt.

The trial took place from 26 January 2026 to 19 April 2026.

Thanks to everyone who provided feedback on the Town Belt Active Transport Trial.

As part of the trial, we asked the community for feedback. We also collected data on use, safety, access, and community experience. Your feedback during the trial is important and will help inform Council’s final decision.

Total online submissions received as of 20 April numbered 1494. In addition, we have received a range of handwritten submissions collected through in-person engagement. These are currently being manually entered into our database. As a result, we are not yet able to confirm the final submission total.

A comprehensive Engagement Report is being prepared and is expected to be presented to Council within the next 2-3 months.

Any future Council decision will be informed by evidence gathered during the trial, including public feedback, usage data, transport impacts, safety considerations, and operational and maintenance implications.

The trial

During the trial, a section of Queens Drive between Braid Road and Preston Crescent, as well as a section of Braid Road that connects to Ross Street, was closed to traffic (see map).

Vehicle access for residents and essential services was maintained, while bollards and signage defined what areas were closed to through traffic.

The trial was an opportunity to reimagine this section of the Town Belt as an active, people-focused space — a place to enjoy the reserve as a park, rather than a vehicle thoroughfare.

The trial was a chance to test how changes along Queens Drive could help achieve the following outcomes:

• Promote transport safety for all users
• Encourage walking, cycling and other travel options
• Reduce illegal carparking
• Reduce illegal rubbish dumping
• Support zero carbon outcomes.

In reclaiming this area for recreation, we will look to introduce features such as food truck zones, spaces for outdoor activities, as well as celebrate the area’s biodiversity.

Town Belt Active Travel Trial activation map. Click to enlarge (new window).

What next?

Dunedin City Council (DCC) staff will present findings and feedback to Councillors to help them make an informed decision about whether to:

• Make the road closure permanent and begin developing a long-term shared path through the Town Belt, utilising Queens Drive as part of this route; or
• Make changes to how the road functions; or
• Revert to the status quo if the trial demonstrates insufficient benefits.

The closure will be supported with baseline monitoring of traffic, pedestrian, and cyclist numbers. This data will be supplemented with community feedback gathered through engagement activities.