Ashburton District Council is amending its Transportation Bylaw to keep heavy traffic out of the newly revitalised central business district in Ashburton.

Heavy traffic, which is any vehicle more than 3500kg, will not be permitted on East Street, from Moore Street to Havelock Street, unless it is delivering goods. Buses are allowed.

The bylaw already prohibited heavy vehicles on Tancred and Burnett Streets, and gives an exemption to emergency vehicles or vehicles doing vital work like rubbish trucks and some delivery trucks.

Council Infrastructure Services Group Manager Neil McCann said the amended bylaw would better protect East Street in the new CBD, which featured new essential underground infrastructure as well as new streets, pavements, furniture, and landscaping.

“The upgrade also created a 30 kilometre an hour zone to encourage more pedestrians and cyclists.

“Council is looking to ensure the safety and longevity of the revitalisation work and a key part of this is ensuring that the area is not used regularly by heavy vehicles.”

He said stock trucks had recently been seen driving on East Street through the CBD, as well as other heavy vehicles.

Council also decided to bring forward a review of the bylaw in its entirety from 2025 to 2022-23.