The Dunedin City Council is planning a crackdown on commuters, swimmers and high school pupils clogging parts of Queens Dr, in the city's Town Belt, with parked cars.
Councillors approved the move at yesterday's community development committee meeting, after the Dunedin Amenities Society complained about the growing number of motorists parking on the road each day.
Society vice-president Robin Hyndman, in a letter to Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin, said the increasing pressure was "detrimental" to the area and "its value as a city amenity".
"Increasing numbers of cars will only serve to further denigrate that amenity."
The society wanted the council to prevent long-term parking on the drive, to ensure pedestrians and motorists on scenic drives could continue to enjoy the trip through the Town Belt.
"It is vital the sovereignty of the Town Belt and Queens Dr is protected," he said.
The road ran through the Town Belt and past Moana Pool, Otago Boys High School and Olveston, as well as residential areas and several city parks.
Mr Hyndman's call won some support from councillors yesterday, with Cr Fliss Butcher saying she was "absolutely disgusted" by litter and tyre damage on grass verges.
Cr Richard Walls sounded a note of caution, saying a new parking space for up to 100 vehicles using the area would need to be identified.
"It's a fact of life they do have cars ... where are they going to park?"However, Cr Michael Guest said those parking within the reserve should make alternative arrangements.
"They ought to now know the writing is on the wall ... They will have to go. They will have to find somewhere else to park.
"We are not going to allow that place to be used for commuter parking."
Council community and recreation policy team leader Lisa Wheeler said, in a report to the committee, council staff would discuss, with the society, new signs, markings or barriers in the area.
The measures could be enforced under existing legislation and bylaws, and did not require further council approval or public consultation, she said.
Councillors yesterday also voted to consult the public over the future of the one-way portion of Queens Dr between Stuart St and City Rd, after the society also called for it to revert to a two-way street.
