From Monday, 25 November, vehicles exiting Roberts Street onto Ruapehu Street will only be able to turn left. Right turns and straight-through movements will not be allowed as part of a trial by Taupō District Council to reduce congestion and improve safety in the shared pedestrian space on Roberts Street.
The trial is expected to run throughout the summer, with traffic counters monitoring vehicle numbers and speeds. Planter boxes on Roberts Street will also be repositioned to slow traffic, and new signage will be installed to highlight the story of Te Ātea.
Andy Taylor from Taupō District Council explained the trial's goal, saying, "It’s to reduce traffic speed and lead to less congestion in the Roberts Street shared space."
Lake News asked whether the council had considered fully closing Roberts Street to vehicles. Taylor clarified, "Roberts Street cannot be closed to traffic completely as there is a service lane that needs access to supply the many businesses."
The council also encourages drivers heading south to use Tītīraupenga Street, the town centre bypass, as an alternative to Roberts Street, which is better suited for through-traffic.
This initiative is part of the council’s efforts to prepare the lakefront for summer, ensuring Taupō remains an attractive and safe destination for both visitors and locals.
