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Rival petitions for and against the pedestrianisation of a popular Port Chalmers coastal road are gaining momentum.
A change.org petition was started a month ago by Port Chalmers resident Stefan Roesch, advocating for vehicles to be prohibited on Back Beach Rd.
The online petition says "we are a group of people from the wider Port Chalmers community who are advocating to turn Back Beach Rd into a pedestrian and bike-friendly zone".
"We believe that the current amount of motorised traffic on the road poses a serious risk to pedestrians and cyclists."
As of last night, 260 people had signed the petition.
The aim was to present a case to the West Harbour Community Board in the coming months.
A rival change.org petition, created by Port Chalmers resident Wendy Currie, states: "I strongly disagree with the non-access proposed by a small group in our community who have set up a petition online".
"If they close this road to traffic they will he limiting access to the wider community, including the elderly, people with disabilities and others.
"We also have a new bike track and walkway to Dunedin and to Oamaru in the future, so leave Back Beach alone," it says.
The petition in support of keeping the road open had more than 1000 signatures last night.
Neither of the creators of the petitions have responded to repeated requests for comment.
West Harbour Community Board chairwoman Francisca Griffin said she was aware of the petition set up by Mr Roesch, but was not aware of Ms Currie’s.
The community board would wait until its August 12 meeting to see whether either of the petitions would be presented.
"They have to book in to the public forum [at the meeting]. It’s up to them whether they want to do that," Ms Griffin said.
"They are two polar opposite petitions, but we want to support and advocate for what our community wants, so we will remain neutral until we see what the outcome of the meeting is."