By Hamish Clark
Christchurch residents got a rare glimpse into the red-zone today as part of Gloucester Street was closed to vehicles.
It meant one of the main routes into the city was opened up to pedestrians, just in time for the end of school holidays.
Hundreds gathered on Gloucester Street today, mesmerised by a city they no longer recognise.
"I think it's really important that as many people as possible get an opportunity to have a look around and see what's going on in the city," says Christchurch resident Nick Hayley.
It's a rare look into what remains, as part of the red-zone was closed to traffic to let pedestrians see the deconstruction for themselves.
"You have to see it to really feel what has happened,” says resident Sue Meadows. “You can't look at pictures or film. You do have to be here."
Dunedin resident Jill Housten made her first trip to Christchurch in 18 months especially for the walkway's opening.
“This is one we have decided we would like to come and re-live old times but it's very different," she says.
The road is now re-open for traffic, leaving pedestrians to watch from outside Cathedral Square again.
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