Some Central City Areas Closed for Royal Visit

Dunedin (Thursday, 10 April 2014) – Residents and visitors to Dunedin keen to see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on Sunday need to plan their routes and be prepared for delays.

On 13 April, upper Stuart Street (from the Octagon to Moray Place), the upper Octagon and Harrop Street will be closed from 6am to 12 noon because of the royal visit.

The lower Octagon and George Street, Bath Street, Princes Street and lower Stuart Street (from the Octagon to Moray Place) will also be closed if required, depending on crowd numbers.

The royal couple arrive at the Dunedin International Airport about 9.30am on Sunday. They will attend a Palm Sunday service at St Paul’s Cathedral at 10am before taking part in the Regal Rugby Fun Day at the Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Dunedin City Council Transportation Operations Technical Officer Michael Tannock says motorists need to be prepared to park out of the central city. People with cars parked in upper Stuart Street, Harrop Street or around the upper Octagon must remove their vehicles before 6am on Sunday.

One option for motorists is to use DCC car parking buildings, which are free on Sundays.

Buses that normally use the Octagon will follow an alternative route and drop off and pick up passengers at sign-posted temporary bus stops around Moray Place (these will be the same as during other Octagon closures).

A temporary taxi stand will be available in Moray Place to replace those affected by the road closures.

Only those who already have tickets for the service at St Paul’s Cathedral can attend and their access will be via upper Stuart Street only. If taxis have elderly or mobility impaired passengers who are attending the service they must still go to this entrance. No access will be granted from Harrop Street or the Octagon.

Dunedin Venues is expecting a great crowd at the Stadium and people are being urged to get there early and be seated by 11am. Rippa rugby and entertainment will run from 10am until about 1pm.

With more than 8000 people attending, Dunedin Venues Marketing and communications Manager Kim Barnes advises people to park around the harbourside and university area as the 300-space Stadium car park will fill up very quickly.

For details on the Stadium event, visit www.facebook.com/forsythbarrstadium.

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