A tire (10) is disclosed comprising a tire tread (12) comprising a first and second rib (18, 22). The first and second ribs (18, 22) are separated by a tread groove (28). At least one tie-bar element (32) is disposed within the tread groove (28). The tie-bar element (32) has opposed sidewalls (33, 35) separated by a radially extending tie bar groove (36). The radially extending tie bar groove (36) tapers from a first axial width to a second width, the second width being wider than the first width, when moving radially inwards in the tie bar groove (36).
