A number of contentious bollards are set to be removed in Christchurch's Aranui this morning after backlash against their installation.
Residents argued they weren't adequately consulted over the new bollards and speed bumps before they were installed in their suburb.
The project cost $2.6 million and was 90% funded by NZTA Waka Kotahi.
Eastern Eagles Rugby League Club secretary Fina Fa'amoe said most of the club's car parks were blocked by the bollards.
"Saturday, I think a lot of people will be parking on the grass or bowling over the bollards," she said yesterday.
This morning, Christchurch City Councillor Kelly Barber confirmed the backtrack. Yesterday, he'd voiced his concerns over the situation at Wainoni Park and today he celebrated the planned removal of the bollards there.
He confirmed that only the bollards around the rugby club on Hampshire St were being removed.
"I'm really excited about this," he told Breakfast. "I think it's a victory for common sense. I think the community will really appreciate it.
"This was just one of about 20 projects in the area to slow the traffic down, this was one that didn't make sense."
The bollards were meant to address pedestrian safety concerns, particularly related to young students of nearby schools.
And the u-turn comes ahead of a scheduled community meeting for council to hear feedback on the bollards and bumps.
"There's been overwhelming pre-feedback feedback," Barber said, encouraging people in Aranui to still attend the session if they have anything to share. "Get down there today and have your say about the other projects.
"But I'm here to tell you that I got a call yesterday afternoon to say that they'd reconsidered and, due to the feedback, they had decided to take those bollards out.
"The intention was to slow the traffic down, to narrow the street – but I think in this case, it was probably not the most popular.
"I was really chuffed to get the phone call."
Barber added: "The total cost of the project [not just at the park] was budgeted at $2.6m and the default option was to take the entire lot out if it was completely unsatisfactory to the locals.
"So they'll have budgeted in the removal as well, but I think some of the things'll stay."
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