The Dunedin City Council confirmed this week there had been "a temporary issue with parking restrictions and enforcement" in part of Albany St after decisions in recent months about a cycleway and safety project.
The council decided this week to continue with the over-budget Albany Street Connection project, which includes a cycleway near the University of Otago.
This followed proposed parking changes being rejected in August and then approved the following month.
The situation was accompanied by some confusion in recent weeks about paid parking, time restrictions and enforcement of regulations.
The Otago Daily Times was told of people parking all day in time-restricted parks without consequence.
Council transport group manager Jeanine Benson said this week enforceable parking restrictions would be implemented through installation of signs and markings, or through temporary traffic management.
"We ask the public to be considerate in the meantime and use parking in this busy area responsibly, knowing others also want to park there to access the campus and local businesses," she said.
Ms Benson said pressure on parking in the area should soon ease, as the tertiary education year came to an end.
Temporary parking restrictions had been brought in outside one business to increase parking turnover.
"We had originally planned to begin construction of the Albany Street Connection project in November and complete much of the work over summer," she said.
The parking bylaw’s restrictions were updated for Albany St, between Great King St and Anzac Ave, to reflect a council decision on September 23 to press on.
Changes came into effect on October 31, Ms Benson said.
"This update removed or changed restrictions on the north side of the street, in preparation for installing pedestrian improvements and the cycleway component of the project, and created new permanent restrictions on the south side, which don’t match existing signs and markings in the area."
However, when tenders opened last month, the council said the expected construction start date was January next year.
This month, continuation of the project was again in doubt, but the council again voted for it to proceed.
Work paused for a time while staff awaited the outcome of this week’s vote, Ms Benson said.
"This meant parks in the area were not enforceable as signage was yet to be updated."
Enforcement ceased and parking meters were turned off.
