You won’t believe why this bright orange cone is permanently stuck in a footpath

Have you ever spotted something so strange on your daily walk it made you stop in your tracks? That was exactly the reaction of residents in New Plymouth, New Zealand, when they saw a bright orange road cone seemingly cemented into the middle of a freshly asphalted footpath. The image left many scratching their heads—was it a prank, art, or a very confused council crew?

The cone that captured the internet’s attention stood firmly in place, looking like it belonged to a modern art exhibition rather than a suburban street. Local resident Melanie shared a photo of the unusual sight on social media, and it quickly went viral, sparking a mix of bewilderment and laughter. Commenters had a field day, with one predicting, 'Some drunk person is gonna try to kick that,' while another suggested it could become New Plymouth’s answer to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Before anyone questioned the council’s competence, there was a simple explanation. A spokesperson from New Plymouth District Council said the cone was protecting an exposed pipe that connected a water main to a nearby house. The pipe remained uncovered while crews installed a new water main, and the temporary asphalt patch, with the cone on top, served as a safety measure. Later this year, the connection would be completed and a permanent footpath surface installed.

While it might seem odd, temporary solutions like this are standard practice in infrastructure work. Every cone placed on roads or footpaths reflects careful planning about public safety, traffic flow, and work zone protection. What appeared as bureaucratic oddity was actually a practical approach to keeping both workers and residents safe.

National cone debate

The timing of the viral cone coincided with a national conversation about the use of road cones in New Zealand. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon commented that there were 'hundreds of them doing very, very little,' while Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour complained about too many 'frickin' cones.' Transport Minister Chris Bishop labelled some deployments as 'overzealous,' prompting the launch of a public hotline for cone-related complaints. The response was immediate—650 reports came in during the hotline’s first month, with Wellington alone generating 115 complaints over two months.

Australian cone culture

Australian residents would recognise the scenario instantly. Navigating Melbourne’s tram track repairs or Sydney’s ongoing roadworks often means dealing with temporary traffic setups that seem to last forever. While Australian councils haven’t yet had a cone asphalted into a footpath go viral, it’s probably only a matter of time given the frequency of infrastructure maintenance.

The appeal of this story lies in its absurdity and relatability. Most municipal decisions go unnoticed, but occasionally, circumstances align to create something photographically bizarre. The fact that no complaints were lodged over the New Plymouth cone suggests residents recognised it as temporary work rather than a permanent fixture.

Eventually, the cone will be removed when the water main connection is finished and the footpath restored. In the meantime, it has served as a reminder that infrastructure work—essential as it is—can sometimes appear perplexing, even humorous. Pausing to consider the reasoning behind such oddities can reveal the careful planning that keeps communities safe.

Infrastructure quirks can catch anyone off guard, and sometimes what seems like a simple safety measure sparks unexpected debate.

If you found the New Plymouth cone story amusing yet practical, you might be interested in another example where road changes stirred strong reactions.

This next story explores how new markings on a busy road led to divided opinions and raised safety concerns for those navigating it daily.

Have you ever spotted something in your neighbourhood that made you do a double-take?