Major CBD Traffic Restrictions for Sunday's Santa Parade

There will be celebrations throughout the central business district (CBD) this Sunday (16.11.08) when the Tip Top Santa Parade comes to town. The parade starts at 2.00pm on Sunday at the corner of Lambton Quay and Ballance Street. It will travel down Lambton Quay on to Willis Street, before moving on to Wakefield Street and ending in Cuba Street.

Wellington City Council Events Coordinator Lauren Fantham says that in order to ensure that the tens of thousands of spectators can safely see the floats and bands, the Council will be closing some roads and putting temporary parking restrictions in place.

"We are strongly encouraging parade spectators to use public transport to avoid delays. If you do intend to drive, be sure to allow for extra time as there is likely to be significant traffic congestion throughout the day" she says.

Ballance Street (Lambton Quay to Featherston), Stout Street (Lambton Quay to Ballance) and Maginnity Street (Waring Taylor to Ballance) will be closed from 8.00am until 6.00pm on Sunday.

Lambton Quay (Whitmore to Willis), Willis Street (Lambton Quay to Manners), Mercer Street, Wakefield Street (Mercer to Cuba), Cuba Street (Wakefield to Manners) and Manners Street (Cuba to Taranaki) will be closed from 10.00am until 6.00pm. There will be no parking on the parade route, or any streets affected by road closures, from 6.00pm Saturday 15 November to 6.00pm Sunday 16 November.

Temporary bus stops will also be set up at:
Customhouse Quay – Shed 11 (opposite Johnston Street)
Jervois Quay – Frank Kitts Park
Jervois Quay – Tony's Tyre Service (just past Willeston Street)
Customhouse Quay – BP House (north of Johnston Street)

No cars can be parked on the temporary bus stops from midnight Saturday to 6.00pm on Sunday.
In the event of bad weather, the parade will be postponed until Sunday 23 November, with the same road and parking restrictions in place. If the parade does get postponed, details will be announced on Newstalk ZB.

Further information about the parade, including a map of the parade route and road closures, is available on the Featured Events section of the Council's website.