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Dunedin City Council transport and engineer road safety team leader Hjarne Poulsen (left) and...
Dunedin City Council transport and engineer road safety team leader Hjarne Poulsen (left) and transport engineer Blair McKeever show off a new sign erected in Baldwin St yesterday. Photo: Linda Robertson
Camper vans be warned: It is not safe to drive up Baldwin St.

That is the message of the signs erected in the world’s steepest street yesterday.

Dunedin City Council transport and engineer road safety team leader Hjarne Poulsen said there had been several incidents of camper vans getting stuck or struggling to drive up the tourist attraction.

"When there’s cars parked on both sides, it’s really hard [to turn around]."

Residents asked for signs to be erected to warn tourists or travellers it might not be safe to attempt the climb.

The signs were of a standard design, all in English.  None were available with imagery or alternative languages. Any signs  containing different languages or which used symbols not available in the standard set would have to be approved by the Ministry of Transport.

"If there are some issues with tourists we would have to look at it," Mr Poulsen said.

Two warning signs were put up — one at the base and one in the street itself.

Other signs erected at the same time  pointed visitors in the  direction of Baldwin St.

Mr Poulsen said that  was another issue which residents had complained about as visitors often found themselves driving up the wrong street.

The council welcomed visitors but wanted to make sure residents were happy as well.

Mr Poulsen said the signs were a temporary fix to the ongoing problems and might be reassessed in the future  and other measures considered.

samuel.white@odt.co.nz

Comments

Thanks DCC for putting these signs up! Now we just hope people see them and abide by them!

 

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