Dunedin school pupils Josh Tindley and Kahu Flavell reckoned young voices were being drowned out as adults argued over John Wilson Ocean Dr.
The Dunedin City Council's hearings committee faces a difficult decision, after passionate arguments on both sides about the future use of John Wilson Ocean Dr, committee chairman Cr Colin Weatherall says.
John Wilson Promenaders organised a gala day to celebrate the use of temporary bollards, rather than gates, to stop cars from driving on the stretch of road.
Vandalism to gates on John Wilson Ocean Dr, in Dunedin, has ranged from people using bolt cutters to break padlocks to others attaching chains between the gate and their car, tearing it from its hinges.
John Wilson Ocean Dr should be progressively closed and the area developed, argues Paul Pope, on behalf of the Dunedin Amenities Society.
Use of John Wilson Ocean Dr, in Dunedin, by pedestrians, cyclists and schools was increasing, Living Streets Dunedin convener Judy Martin said last night, and the road could become "a promenade that everyone enjoys".
The Dunedin City Council is to consult its lawyers over the continued closure to motorists of John Wilson Ocean Dr after concerns were raised in a letter to yesterday's community development committee meeting.
Plans to consult the public over the future of John Wilson Ocean Dr in Dunedin appear likely to drag out for almost another year.
Seagulls will have to go elsewhere for their takeaways, now that the Dunedin City Council has installed new rubbish bins along John Wilson Ocean Dr, designed to keeping rubbish in and scavengers out.
John Wilson Ocean Dr will remain closed to vehicles during the Christmas holiday period.
The gates barring traffic from John Wilson Ocean Dr in Dunedin were torn down and the road briefly reopened yesterday by an unknown offender.