The Howick Local Board is investing $287,000 to reduce speeding and improve pedestrian and traffic safety in a popular part of a scenic local seaside community.
The board is partnering with Auckland Transport (AT) on the work in Bucklands Beach which is under way now.
The first part will be carried out in two stages with AT’s contractor starting work on traffic calming and pedestrian approvements along The Parade.
The work is focused on the stretch of The Parade between Laings Road and Whitcome Road.
Stage one involves a full road closure and detours while resident access will be maintained.
A concrete raised pedestrian crossing will be installed near the intersection with Laings Road.
Three speed humps will be installed along The Parade between Laings Road and Whitcome Road. There will also be new streetlighting and signs installed.
The public provided feedback on the initial proposal in 2023. Earlier this year AT reviewed aspects of the plan to “ensure the solutions were cost-effective and low disruptive on the network operation”.
Speed data was collected to determine whether and where “vertical devices” would be justified for speed calming while pedestrian data helped to determine the location and type of pedestrian crossings.
Howick Local Board chairperson Damian Light says the issue has been before the board since 2021.
“The project got a bit delayed due to the storms and extreme weather last year and AT’s focus shifted to repairing roads, which is understandable.
“This work was then due to start in February this year, but they did a big review of all projects that involved speed bumps and as a result it got delayed again.
“A good outcome of that is they did more speed assessments and pedestrian counts on The Parade.
“Through that we identified we could scale back the project by one pedestrian crossing and three speed bumps, which saves about $200,000.”
Light says there’s been numerous crashes on the road, particularly near the intersection of The Parade and Laings Road, which he describes as “quite a blind corner”.
“We know we’ve got issues as there’s no footpath on one side of The Parade so people have to use the other side. We want people to get across safely.
“That’s what the pedestrian crossing is for. The speed bumps are intended to slow vehicles down, so if a pedestrian gets hit they won’t be killed.
“Because 50mk/h will kill you, whereas 30km/h is a survivable speed.”
Bucklands and Eastern Beaches Ratepayers and Residents Association chairman Peter Seekup says the group was made aware of locals’ concerns about safety along The Parade and that the board was planning action to address them.
“To ensure residents were involved as much as possible in the design, we worked with Howick Local Board and AT to assist them in holding a number of consultation sessions to give the local community the opportunity to provide their views and input.
“We did a pamphlet drop on behalf of the board and helped them to facilitate discussions in person and on our Facebook page.”
AT says stage one will be completed by summer later this year.
Stage two will be undergoing design and public consultation in 2024 and construction is expected to happen in 2025.
