I read in last week’s, June 22, edition of the Times of Auckland Transport’s (AT) proposal to spend $450,000 building a new pedestrian crossing on the Pakuranga Highway.
I decided to visit this area and get some facts. Starting just west of Grammar School Road and walking west it took me six minutes to walk to the pedestrian crossing opposite Saint Kentigern College. Using the same starting point it took me four minutes to walk east to the pedestrian crossing opposite Glenmore Road. Incidentally, I did not see another pedestrian during my walk. In my opinion these funds could be used for sensible higher priority projects rather than spending $450,000 on this project.
I’m not sure if AT really care what we think. They have a steady income flow from ratepayers — 34 per cent of our rates go to AT and they spend it on such crazy projects such as the 68 T3 cameras spread over a 2.3km section of Onewa Road or the highly dangerous cycle/vehicle divider in west Auckland. Maybe a new mayor will bring some accountability to AT. Here’s hoping.
Andrew Lister, Botany
