One of the most popular tourist attractions in Dunedin, New Zealand has lost its bragging rights.
Baldwin Street held the Guinness World Record for the world's steepest street until June this year when Ffordd Pen Llech, in Harlech, Wales (UK) was announced as the new record holder.
The street's gradient was verified as 1:2.67 (37.45 per cent stretch over fall) by an independent Surveyor on the June 6, 2019. Baldwin Street has a gradient of 35 per cent.
In order to qualify for the title, in addition to demonstrating the steepest gradient, the street must be a public thoroughfare, fully paved and contain buildings running alongside the thoroughfare. The record measurement is based on the highest gradient over a 10m section of road.
The street, in the coastal town of Harlech, North West Wales, is lined with houses, a shop, a restaurant, a caravan park and laundry service, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage site of Harlech Castle.
Gwyn Headley, who led the town's campaign to claim the title, said he felt utter relief and jubilation.
"Guinness World Records were ultra-specific in the criteria they demanded for Ffordd Pen Llech to qualify as the steepest street in the world, and although we were confident in meeting or exceeding nine of them, I was worried about the tenth. I feel sorry for Baldwin Street and the New Zealanders - but steeper is steeper. At least they have the Rugby World Cup ... for the moment ... ," he said.
Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records Editor in Chief said the local community in Harlech has shown sheer will-power in their quest to earn Ffordd Pen Llech the title.
"We know the anticipation has been building for quite some time now and I'm pleased to see the outcome has brought such joy to the residents. I hope Harlech enjoys the celebrations and that the new title brings lots of people to the beautiful town, to experience the world's steepest street for themselves"