I have previously reported on the recommendations the transport portfolio has made for locations to be included in Auckland Transport’s footpath work programme 15/16 including footpaths requiring maintenance.
In August Christopher Dempsey and I went on a site visit with Auckland Transport’s head of maintenance to ascertain what works can be leveraged from the renewal budget to deliver local board priorities. We followed up by outlining what we would like AT to focus on:
Accessible access to Parnell Station
As we noted there are a number of missing and narrow footpaths in the area between Parnell Rd and the entrance to the new station on Cheshire St. Restoring all of these footpaths is clearly a big job.
In the meantime we would like to know what AT is doing to ensure that there is at least one accessible route available when the station opens. I.e. a route that is well signposted and suitable for wheel chair users, mobility scooters, prams, people wheeling luggage etc from Parnell Road to the station. This needs to be a priority as it is impossible to walk to the entrance currently without walking on the road.
Update: to be investigated and potentially funded from the Local board capex fund
Cook St pedestrian crossing
We are concerned about the lack of a pedestrian facility to cater for the growing number of residents on Union St who will have a strong desire line to cross over Cook St to access Victoria Park, New World, Sale St etc.
Pedestrians currently have to cross three lanes of high speed traffic or walk 400m up to the Nelson St intersection for a safe crossing
Princes St
We heard that Princes St is on the renewal list and a project team is being set up to address the many complex issues of upgrading one of Auckland’s historic roads. We asked to be kept close to this work and the project include the entire length of Princes St to the Emily Place intersection and for cycling facilities to be scoped as part of the design (this also needs to be tied into the cycling contra-flow on Alfred St that we have had logged with AT for some time now but has not been actioned)
AT update: The upgrade does not include the Emily place intersection (the transport portfolio has logged this separately)
Walkway signage
We noted a number of locations without walkway signage but where NO EXIT signs incorrectly give the impression there is no pedestrian access:
- Liverpool St towards K’rd
- Liverpool St steps to Airedale St
- Hargreaves St to Beaumont St
- Gudgeon St to Beaumont Quarter (
- Winchester St to K’rd – this connection has been newly discovered and has recently been demarcated by the adjoining land owner. There is a good opportunity to provide a pleasant walking route from Newton Rd to K’rd via Edinburgh St (photo right)
City Road between Liverpool St and Symonds St and Liverpool St between City Road and K’rd
After learning that City Road is on the 15/16 renewal programme we have confirmed that we would like to ensure that the 1m footpaths are not replaced on a like for like basis as this is no longer best practice in a high foot traffic location (even on a rainy afternoon we observed more people walking through the area than driving). See photo right.
This is a good opportunity for AT to assess the traffic movements and look at how the footpaths can best be widened (eg narrowing the lanes; restricting rat running traffic; contra flow for cyclists etc)
AT update: AT has confirmed investigating footpath widening options with AT’s walking and cycling team
Howe St/Hopetoun St/Hereford St
Thank you for agreeing to look at the Hopetoun St/Howe St intersection where the footpath on the bridge abruptly ends without a crossing point.
We also noted that 1000 new residents are moving into the Hopetoun St area and improvements are needed to cater for the increased foot traffic. (For example Can the Hereford St/Hopetoun St intersection please be logged as needing a pedestrian facility)
AT update: AT now plan to implement this when the Hopetoun St Kerb &Channel/footpath renewal between Howe St and Ponsonby Rd is completed during the 16/17 financial year.
Real Groovy development – Marmion St, White St, Waverley St
We agreed that any renewals planned for 15/16 should be put on hold in this area until the Real Groovy apartment development has been completed and an assessment can be made of pedestrian movements (we noted the lack of pedestrian facilities currently particularly on Marmion St )
Christopher is going to check the resource consent conditions and what street scape changes are planned as part of the design.
AT update: All programmed kerb & channel/footpath and resurfacing renewal work deferred from the following sites to allow coordination with the private development: Liverpool St, Turner St, White St, Marmion St and Waverly St
Mayoral Drive/Albert St entrances to the Aotea Centre and Bledisloe Carparks/ access to the bus stop
We noted the lack of pedestrian facilities in this area particularly to the bus stop from the Bledisloe Car park and across the car park entrances.
We have yet to receive an update from AT on what is planned as part of the CRL works to cater for bus passengers at this location.
Hargreaves St
We noted the large number of drivers who are parking on the substandard footpath.
Agreed Christopher to check development plans in this area before any action taken.
