Work begins on the cycleway!

Work on The Parade upgrade finally got underway this morning just as news came through that the legal action that threatened to stop it has been dropped. The initial work is around the intersection of Medway Street and The Parade. Construction will then move north towards Dover Street, so that work is completed around the main retail area ahead of the busy Christmas period. Work will then move south from the library towards Reef Street and is scheduled to be finished by February 2016.

Workers start setting up at the intersection of Medway St and The Parade. Photo: Newstalk ZB via Twitter

There will be temporary traffic changes in the main shopping centre during October and part of November. Between 9am and 4pm, traffic will be down to one lane on The Parade in two locations as the pedestrian crossings at either end of the shops are raised to footpath height to encourage safer speeds. Traffic management will be in place and delays are likely at times. You'll still be able to park in the shopping centre, use the footpaths on both sides of the road and get to all shops and businesses. If you are using Clyde Street as a detour please remember to watch your speed.

A group of local residents put on a morning tea for the construction crew to welcome them to Island Bay. The coffees, scones and ginger crunch were much appreciated by the workers.

The construction crew and residents enjoy morning tea and a chance to chat. Photo: Lars Mathiasen

Several Island Bay businesses are directly affected by the initial work. Let's make sure that we support The White Room Gallery and Island Bay Stationers over the next few weeks. Roti Corner and The Original Thai restaurant do most of their trade outside of normal business hours but they will still be affected by the disruption so please make sure you support them too. 

Let's support The White Room Gallery, Island Bay Stationers, Roti Corner and The Original Thai restaurant over the coming weeks. Photo: Patrick Morgan

​As the work progresses we will keep you up to date on which local businesses are being affected so that we can all get behind them.