The Howick Local Board and Auckland Transport (AT) have provided the Times with more information regarding the temporary closure of Paparoa Road, Cockle Bay.
On Wednesday, January 8, the Times reported that the usually busy connector street linking Howick with Cockle Bay, Shelly Park and other adjacent neighbourhoods is closed to motorists until January 20 because of roadworks.
At the time, AT said “continuous works” was the reason for the street closure from residential home numbers 41 to 51 next to Paparoa Road Cemetery, and that adjacent cul-de-sac Bledisloe Street is also closed until January 20.
Howick Local Board chair Damian Light has told the Times: “AT is improving the existing zebra crossing by slightly shifting the existing crossing to a safer more appropriate location outside number 47 Paparoa Road.
“The current crossing leads pedestrians onto a corner of a kerb and road.
“By shifting the crossing, pedestrians particularly schoolchildren will have a safer place to wait and cross, and drivers turning from Paparoa Road into Bledisloe Street can do more safely too,” says Light.
“There’s additional works such as signage, lighting, and car parking changes to accommodate it, and the redundant bus stop will be removed so there’s no loss of parking.
“This was funded by the Howick Local Board transport capital fund based on feedback from local residents about the previous location and issues with speeding vehicles near schools.”
AT says the works “will promote safer speeds in the community, raising pedestrians, especially children crossing the road, to be at eye-level of approaching motorists, making them easier to see”.
“The raised crossing will also make it more comfortable for everyone, including people with prams and wheelchairs, to cross the road as the crossing is level with the footpath.”
AT says it asked the local community for its feedback on the works proposal last July.
“Submitters were able to provide their opinions of the proposed changes, if it would benefit their community, and if they had any other suggestions to improve the project.”
- More details about the Paparoa Road roadworks are here: https://haveyoursay.at.govt.nz/paparoa-road-raised-zebra-crossing
- https://www.times.co.nz/news/works-close-roads-in-cockle-bay-and-east-tamaki/
