A protest planned for this weekend could see a large crowd demanding vehicle access to John Wilson Ocean Dr in Dunedin.
Dunedin woman Sharlie Earl (25) has organised the protest, dubbed "Dunedin Awaits, Open the Gates", to be held at the bollards from 11am on Saturday.
A Facebook page created to promote the protest lists 582 people who have confirmed they will attend, although Ms Earl expected the actual crowd to be smaller.
A petition will be circulated during the protest, calling on the council to reopen the road to motorists.
Ms Earl said she was happy with the council's plans to redevelop the road to make it safe for all users, but wanted the work carried out more quickly than was planned.
The scenic coastal road beside St Kilda Beach has been largely closed to motorists since 2006 and is expected to remain so until sometime in the 2011-12 financial year.
A council staff report had proposed reopening the road as a trial, beginning last month, while further consultation was carried out.
Councillors instead confirmed plans for a $487,519 redevelopment of the road but opted to keep it closed to motorists until the work was completed.
Funding was available for 2011-12, but further consultation would be held, with a hearing starting on May 4.
