Councillors to decide future of Devon Street West cycle separators

Councillors will decide the future of the cycle separators on Devon Street West/South Road (SH45) at an Extraordinary Council meeting on Wednesday 18 November.

The report outlines the results of a trial that tested alternatives to the concrete ‘tim tams’ as locals have dubbed them, between Belt Road and Morley Street earlier this year. Public feedback on the trial attracted 1,597 submissions.

Three options are presented for the Council to consider. Rather than an officer recommendation, it leaves elected members to provide direction on the next steps. The options are:

• No change. Retain the existing layout, including the physical separators.
• Remove all physical separators between Morley Street and Belair Avenue and replace them with painted cycle lanes, as required by New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).
•  Implement changes outlined in option two and ask staff to report back on ways to increase car parking along the corridor for consideration through the Long-term Plan 2027-2037.

Each option includes indicative costs and an assessment of the impact on road user safety.

Options 2 and 3 are unbudgeted and further design work, safety assessments and procurement would be required, along with NZTA approval, before any physical works could begin.

The report notes that retaining the current layout would involve no additional cost, while removing the separators and associated work is estimated to cost between $200,000 and $300,000. If NZTA requires the road to be resurfaced afterwards, the cost could rise based on early discussions with them.

New Plymouth’s Mayor Max Brough says the time for talk is over.

“We carried out the trial which has allowed us to test a range of options and provide more accurate costs – now it’s time for a decision and whatever the outcome every effort will be made to keep costs down. 

“The project was intended to improve safety for all road users, however, the feedback we’ve received from locals suggests we haven't struck the right balance," says Mayor Max.

“I would also like to thank the community for offers of assistance to help remove the separators - given this stretch of road is a state highway we are unable to accommodate these generous offers if this is the agreed way forward.”

Community feedback on the trial

The trial was requested by Council in December 2025 and tested lower-impact alternatives to the concrete separators. The concrete structures were removed and two types of rubber separators trialled, along with a shared path and other design changes.

Feedback on the trial elements was mixed.

Compared with the previous layout, 37.9 per cent of respondents said the trial elements were better, 29.7 per cent noticed little or no difference, and 31.1 per cent said it was worse. Overall, 59.7 per cent were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the trial layout, while 22.9 per cent were satisfied or very satisfied.

The meeting starts at 2pm on Wednesday 18 November and will be livestreamed on the Council meetings page of our website. The agenda report is available here.