A power company has removed dozens of shoes from powerlines around Dunedin's student quarter, at a cost of $300 a pair.

Lines company Delta is warning offenders face possible legal action if identified.

In recent weeks, the Dunedin City Council-owned company has removed dozens of pairs of shoes tied at the laces and thrown over powerlines.

HAMISH MCNEILLY/FAIRFAX NZ A large number of shoes hanging over power lines were recently cleared from Hyde St in Dunedin's student quarter.

Spokesman Gary Johnson said the end of the academic year – a time when "flats are being cleared out" – was traditionally the worst for finding shoes thrown over lines.

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It was an urban legend that the practice signalled a drug house on a street, but instead often marked a rite of passage.

Single and multiple pairs could be found hanging over lines "as often as weekly", he said.

The lines clearance of the student area was in January, with a bucket truck used to remove the shoes.

The cost of removing a single pair was about $300, Johnson said.

"Wherever possible, we try and remove shoes at multiple sites in one go and in conjunction with other maintenance work in the area."

The shoes had to be removed as they could cause overhead lines to clash together and fall to the ground "live".

"Where we identify the person responsible, we will pursue legal action and cost recover," he said.

The worst street was Hyde St, a notorious party street and home to the annual Hyde St Keg Party.

Students on the street said a large number of shoes had been cleared in recent weeks, with only one pair – football boots – spotted hanging on lines on a street near the campus.

All recovered shoes were discarded, Johnson said.

The company wanted people to donate unwanted shoes to charity and "enjoy the good feeling of helping others", rather than throw them over power lines creating a safety hazard.

Despite the frequent problems, Delta had no plans to underground lines in the student area as the cost was several times more than placing them overhead.