Work Starts on Kilbirnie Town Centre Upgrade

Work is now under way on a $1.5 million upgrade to Kilbirnie town centre - but as far as possible it will be business as usual for the busy Bay Road shopping strip.

Improvements are being made to the main pedestrian crossing points, and we are widening and laying new footpaths. Attractive new pedestrian areas will be created, and there will be new lighting, seating and landscaping.

The parking layout will be altered, with a combination of 30 and 60-minute parking to allow people more time to do their shopping.

The work to Bay Road will cause some disruption, including noise and parking changes at times, but Council contractor Transfield Services will be actively working to minimise this.

Parking will still be available on sections of Bay Road not being worked on, as well as Coutts Street, Rongotai Road and Onepu Road. Access to shops will be maintained at all times and construction work will stop from 1 December until early January to minimise the impact on retailers and shoppers during the busy Christmas and holiday periods.

Wellington City Council's Built Environment Portfolio Leader, Councillor Iona Pannett, says the changes to Bay Road will be the first in a long-term project to rejuvenate the area.

"The improvements will significantly improve the look and feel of the town centre and we are aiming for a real coastal flavour," she says.

"We want to create a more people-friendly area with increased public and open spaces and improved lighting to help make the street safer at night."

Transfield is starting work at the Rongotai Road end of Bay Road and will continue down the eastern (Countdown) side of the street. During the project, Capacity will replace the stormwater pipeline that runs down Bay Road, Wellington Cable Car will replace three poles at the northern end of the street, and Chorus will be installing cable ducts for broadband cables. All going well, the work should be completed by the end of March next year.

The Coutts Street and Bay Road corner will also be getting a 'make-over'. This space, now used as a car park, will be converted into a shared space, with some parking but space for other uses.