Construction has begun of a car park in Brookes Rd, behind behind Mitre 10 Mega, for Queenstown Airport's park and ride trial. The service, expected to start before winter, will use shuttle buses to transport travellers between the car park and the airport terminal.
Airport chief executive Colin Keel said the 12-month trial would coincide with the opening of the first stage of Hawthorne Dr, and offer a ''safe, convenient and affordable'' long-term parking option for travellers.
Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Mike Theelen said the trial would complement council and NZ Transport Agency projects.
When the park and ride trial began, the NZTA would move to stop parking along Kawarau Rd.
The council was developing a new parking strategy for the wider Frankton area to prevent travellers from parking outside residents' houses for long periods.
On-street parking would be removed from Glenda Dr either late this month or in early May, before Hawthorne Dr opened.
