The cordoned area around the Mount Maunganui landslip site has been reduced to allow businesses to open on the Marine Parade side of the Mount.

Safety of the public and the teams involved in the recovery at the site remains paramount.

The changes will mean that Marine Parade, as far as Adams Avenue, will be open to pedestrians.

Tauranga City Council has requested that the public continue to recognise the site as a hazardous area and to be respectful of the work underway.

The road is closed to general traffic, but heavy trucks will use the road to service the Mauao landslip area.

Pedestrians should keep to the footpath unless crossing, the council said.

There is no public vehicle access to Marine Parade from Commons Ave, other than for residents and business owners.

Cordoned fencing will be extended from Pilot Bay Beach to the Mount Main Beach.

“It is very important that we preserve the space that recovery agencies need to continue their important work,” the council said in a statement.

“The purpose of the cordon is to manage risk to the public, enable police recovery operations on site and manage public access to ensure security and sensitivity.”