News

TMP amended ahead of One NZ Warriors

A reduced One New Zealand Stadium Traffic Management Plan will be trialled at Sunday’s One NZ Warriors triple header.

The amended plan means a reduction in the number of road closures, including leaving one lane of Tuam St open, and some changes to the some of the equipment used to speed up the installation and removal process.

It’s a continuation of the adjustments to the Traffic Management Plan which have already been put into action at previous events, including expediating the pack down of road closures post event.

The latest changes were confirmed after discussions between stadium operators Venues Ōtautahi, the Christchurch City Council and the Police, after reviews of the movement of stadium guests over the opening two months.

Venues Ōtautahi Chief Executive Caroline Harvie-Teare was pleased all parties have agreed to make further changes.

“We always expected there to be changes to the Traffic Management Plan as we balance that fine line of minimising disruption for our neighbours while not compromising on the safety of our stadium guests,” she said.

“With each sold-out event at the stadium, the city has really come alive and that increase in people movement requires some extra planning. We know TMPs can be disruptive, but ultimately we want to keep working with our neighbours to ensure all businesses have the opportunity to prosper from the significant economic benefit this stadium is bringing to our city.”

The One NZ Warriors’ fixture provides its own unique challenges with three games in one day expected to spread the arrival of the sold-out crowd over a longer period of time.

Venues Ōtautahi confirmed the TMP would not be in place when gates open.

Gates open at 10.45am ahead of the NRLW preseason match between the Warriors and Broncos, which kicks off at 11.35am. There is also an NSW Cup game, the Warriors v Bulldogs, kicking off at 1.30pm before the Warriors in the NRL main event against the Cowboys at 4pm.

Road closures come into effect between 2pm and 2.45pm for Madras St, Barbadoes St and a section of Hereford St immediately next to the stadium. At the same time Tuam St will be reduced to one lane of traffic.

These closures will remain in effective until fans disperse post event. Tuam St, between Madras St and Barbadoes St will be fully closed for a short period at the end of the match to ensure the safe exit of fans.

Harvie-Teare said the All Blacks test match on July 4 was likely to revert to the TMP used through Super Rugby season due to the additional 5000 in attendance and the scale and significance of the event which presented heightened risk.

Following that event, there will be a further review of the TMP.

Key timings for Sunday: