Heavy trucks will no longer be able to use Clyde as a detour following a decision to ban them from the town's historic centre.
At its meeting in Alexandra yesterday, the Central Otago District Council decided to restrict vehicles weighing more than 11,000kg from travelling through parts of Clyde.
It will amend a roading bylaw, banning large trucks and trucks with trailers from being driven through a section of Sunderland St between Fraser St and the southern lookout access, which contains many of the town's historic buildings and businesses.
Parts of several adjoining streets would also be off-limits, as well as a small section of Fache St between Naylor and Fraser Sts.
Buses, camper vans, and emergency vehicles would still be able to access the areas.
Council roading manager Murray Hasler said removing heavy traffic would "increase the experience'' of the rising number of pedestrians and cyclists who used the main street.
Heavy vehicles were a safety issue as it was a narrow street, he said.
Cr Martin McPherson said the ban would deter heavy vehicles, which were already banned from crossing the Clyde Bridge.
In November, Lynne Stewart, of Earnscleugh, presented a 64-signature petition to the council asking it to ban heavy vehicles in parts of the town. Some business owners opposed it, saying Clyde was a working town in which such traffic was necessary.
Council infrastructure manager Julie Muir said vehicles with specific business in the town, such as the rubbish truck, would be exempt from the restriction.
The petition also called for a 30km speed limit in this area, but this would require first putting measures in place to slow traffic, she said.
A comprehensive study of Clyde traffic, which would consider the issue, would be completed in the next year, she said.
The council also decided to give right of way to vehicles coming off the Clyde Bridge on to Matau St.
It passed the amendment unanimously.
The restrictions become effective on July 1.
