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Hibiscus and
Bays Local Board
16 March 2016
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Auckland
Transport Update to Hibiscus and Bays Local Board, March 2016
File No.: CP2016/04561
Purpose
1. To respond to local board
requests on transport-related matters and provide information to elected
members about Auckland Transport (AT) activities.
Executive
Summary
2. The report provides an update on
transport matters for the information of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board and
a register of transport issues in the local board’s area, as collated by
Auckland Transport’s Elected Member Relationship Manager North.
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Recommendation/s
That the Hibiscus and Bays
Local Board:
a) refers the decision to proceed
further with Project 486, construction of a footpath along East Coast Road,
Silverdale, from its intersection with Hibiscus Coast Highway to the
entranceway of 59 Tavern Road, together with the installation of a pedestrian
phase on the north-eastern side of the traffic signals at the intersection of
East Coast Road and Hibiscus Coast Highway and an associated pram
crossing/pedestrian refuge in the vicinity of 59 Tavern Road, to the local
board elected in October 2016.
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Comments
Transport for future housing areas
3. A
Northern Busway extension, Matakana link road, upgraded Hibiscus Coast Bus
Station and state highway improvements are part of potential transport plans to
support large numbers of new houses in northern Auckland.
4. Members
of the public have a unique opportunity to help set the direction for the
transport needed during the next 30 years for future communities around
Silverdale, Wainui, Dairy Flat and Warkworth. These areas are currently rural
land outside urban limits.
5. A
six-week public consultation on potential transport solutions for future urban
growth areas in the north, which began on 25 February and will close on 10
March, is focussing on what transport priorities and what potential projects
should be. Four weeks of further public consultation will begin in April.
6. The
feedback will be used to help identify the transport network needed to support
the area’s growth during the next 30 years, which Auckland Council (AC), AT and
the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) are working together on.
7. Significant new transport
infrastructure will be needed to support about 30,000 new houses and 13,000 new
jobs in Silverdale-Dairy Flat and 7,900 new houses and 4,000 new jobs in
Warkworth.
8. A plan
to support Auckland’s expected growth during the next 10 years is already in
place, with a number of projects already complete, under construction or well
advanced in planning.
9. AC, AT
and NZTA are also working closely with developers to deliver new transport for
special housing areas as they are built, with this work focused on identifying
the additional new and upgraded transport infrastructure for future housing and
business areas which will be built on land that is currently rural.
10. Members of the public can have
their say online at:
www.
at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/transport-for-future-urban-growth/
Beating the feet for Walk Month
11. Auckland
residents are being encouraged to enjoy the benefits of travelling by foot and
to win prizes in March for Walk Month. AT began inviting workplaces to enter
teams in the Auckland Feet Beat Walking Challenge from 1 March so that the
total distance covered by people in teams can be logged and progress followed
and compared online with the team’s virtual distance around New Zealand.
12. The AT-sponsored challenge
follows the hugely popular Auckland Bike Challenge and is part of the
nationwide Walk Month. The highlight of the month took place on 9 March with
Walk to Work Day, when AT set up pit stops on popular walking routes around the
city centre, giving away prizes to acknowledge existing walkers and encourage
others.
13. Walk Month is an opportunity for
people to think about walking instead of driving, especially for short
journeys, challenging old habits and considering a mode of transport that is
not only safer and healthier, but offers relaxation, fun and cost savings.
14. Research shows that people who
walk say they enjoy the time alone while others find walking together a great
way to connect with family members and friends. Others appreciate the certainty
of travel time when walking or cycling.
15. More information and registration
for the Auckland Feet Beat Walking Challenge is available at:
· https://at.govt.nz/walkmonth
· https://www.facebook.com/Walk-Month-March
Sharing our paths
16. AT
launched the Share the Paths campaign to remind people to be courteous and
thoughtful of others while walking and cycling on the region’s 200km of shared
paths on 26 February 2016.
17. The campaign encourages people to ring their bell
when cycling past someone walking, keep left while walking and just be
courteous of other people using the path.
18. The
Share the Paths campaign will run during March. Three emoji stories will be
seen on paths around Auckland during that time which will serve as a graphic
illustration of these messages. An emoji is a picture, or a series of pictures,
that are used instead of words to to communicate a concept or idea.
19. Four
large emojis were placed on shared paths in Orewa, Pakuranga, Henderson and
Kingsland and people walking and cycling are invited to post a photo with the
emojis to win prizes.
20. AT will be holding activities at
the large emojis during the campaign at which free bells and other resources
will be given to people walking and cycling.
21. More information on these activities and the Share the Paths
campaign can be found at: https://at.govt.nz/about-us/campaigns/share-the-paths/.
Consultations
22. AT received a
mixture of feedback to consultation carried out in October 2015 for NSAAT
restrictions proposed in Moera Place, Stanmore Bay. After reviewing that
feedback, a revised plan with fewer parking restrictions was distributed to the
local board’s Transport Portfolio Leads (TPLs) on 15 January 2016 with a
request for comments no later than 16 February. No objections to the proposal
were received from the local board.
23. Road stopping
documentation for the corner of Waterloo/Wainui Roads, and Weranui and Waterloo
Roads, Silverdale, was sent to the local board's TPLs for their information and
comment on 21 January 2016 with a request for responses no later than 27 January
2016. Members were advised that the applications for road stopping were also
subject to public notification once the AT Board had approved the file
progressing and that this would be considered at the AT Board's February 2016
meeting. No objections to the proposals were received from the local board.
24. The local
board's TPLs were forwarded documentation detailing a proposal to install a
pedestrian crossing next to Stanmore Bay Park on Brightside Road, Stanmore Bay,
on 10 January 2016, with a request for comment no later than 25 February 2016.
No objections to the proposal were received from members.
25. Documentation
explaining a proposal to install a pedestrian refuge adjacent to 874
Whangaparaoa Road, Whangaparaoa, to assist those pedestrians crossing the road
to the beach, public toilets and bus stop, was sent to the local boards TPLs on
1 March 2016 with a request for comment no later than 15 March 2016. Local
board chairperson Julia Parfitt advised that, providing Member Fitzgerald as a
Whangaparaoa resident thought that it was the right thing to do, she was happy.
Member Fitzgerald advised that, while she agreed a pram crossing would be good
to get to the beach, with a brow in the road and excessive speeds at this
location, red textured surfacing and large 50km/h signs at either end of the
beachfront may make the environment safer. Member Cooper advised that he agreed
with Member Fitzgerald.
26. Documentation
explaining a proposal for safety improvements, to provide a safer and more
accessible environment for pedestrians and encourage lower driving speeds at
the Browns Bay/Beach Road intersection, Rothesay Bay, was sent to the local
board's TPLs on 1 March 2016 with a request for comments no later than 13 March
2016. The improvements include reshaping the existing traffic islands at the
intersection to accommodate a walking path, installing a speed cushion on Beach
Road and installing pram crossings with tactile pavers. Member Cooper advised
that he thought the speed cushion would be dangerous and would increase the
likelihood of an accident.
27. Documentation
explaining a proposal to extend the cycle lane on Browns Bay Road, Rothesay
Bay, through to Knights Road, by providing a 1.8m wide lane separated by a
newly painted buffer and repainting the flush median to reflect the changes in
width, was sent to the local board's TPLs on 2 March 2016 with a request for a
response no later than 16 March. The existing cycle lane ends at its
intersection with Beach Road and is used by a significant number of students
cycling to Rangitoto College so the proposed changes will increase safety for
these students and other cyclists. Local board chairperson Julia Parfitt
advised that she was happy with the proposal providing the road width allows it
and the connection point to Browns Bay Road is also made safe.
Update on the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board’s Transport Capital
(LBTCF) Projects
28. As at 1 March
2016, the remaining LBTCF budget available to the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
was $597,170, which it may allocate (funding for the 2016-17 financial
year). This does not take into account the local board’s decision at its
September 2015 meeting to retain 50% of its LBTCF for the 2016/2017 financial
year for allocation by the local board elected in October 2016 (HB/2015/134).
29. Construction of
the following LBTCF projects nominated by the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board has
now been completed:
· East Coast
Road - footpath guardrail in the vicinity of Spencer Road (Project 094);
· Safety
improvements on Awaruku Road, Torbay (Project 096);
· Duck Creek
Road, Stillwater – new footpath (Project 097);
· Titan
Place to Silverdale Township, Silverdale – new footpath (Project 098);
· 504 Beach
Road, Murrays Bay – footpath upgrade (Project 099);
· 201-246
Centreway Road, Orewa – new footpath (Project 100);
· Grand
Drive to Tauranga Place, Orewa – new walkway and footpath (Project 101);
· Car
parking along the southern side of Duck Creek Road adjacent to Stillwater
Reserve, Stillwater (Project 209);
· St John’s
School, Mairangi Bay – new footpath (Project 229);
· Construction
of a 280m long footpath on the southern side of Whangaparaoa Road from 601 Whangaparaoa
Road to Cedar Terrace (Project 232);
· Project
240, the provision of a safe crossing point on Tavern Road, Silverdale;
· Project
346, the provision of lighting on Western Reserve, Orewa;
· Project
383, the provision of parallel car parks at 8 Galbraith Green, Silverdale;
· Glenvar
Road, Torbay - relocation of edge line (Project 385);
· Okura
River Road bus stop hardstand area (Project 395);
· Project
409, provision of a connecting footpath from the existing path on Waiwera
Place, Waiwera, to the footpath in the beach front reserve, plus shrub trimming
/ clearance and minor changes to the park fence;
· Installation of two speed
advisory signs on Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa, to the north and to the south
of the CBD (Project 444).
30. The cost of $62,008.00 for the
surface colouring of the Hastings Road service lane (4-16 Hastings Road), an
additional aspect of Project 091, Mairangi Bay Art Walk, was approved by the
local board at its meeting on 17 February 2016. In addition, $4,500 for the installation
of the art poles associated with the project was also approved,
31. Installation of the mosaic panels
and art poles is expected to take place in March/April.
32. The detailed design for Project
411, Torbay Plaza Revitalisation, is nearing completion, with regular
discussions continuing with the local board, the business association, Auckland
Council staff and the landscape designer.
33. It may be possible to finalise
the local board’s TCF contribution to this project at the next working party meeting
scheduled for 16 March 2016. In this case, a formal decision from the local
board to reflect this firm cost estimate may be requested at the local board
meeting also scheduled for 16 March 2016.
34. It is hoped that procurement for
construction may commence in March/April once all aspects of the project have
been finalised.
35. The local board approved
construction of Project 445, a 3m wide concrete shared path over the section of
Orewa Recreation Reserve and Orewa Domain, from the southern end of the beach
to the southern end of the Orewa Reserve carpark, at its meeting on 17 February
2016.
36. A meeting with local iwi took
place on 2 March 2016 during which conditions of consent specific to cultural induction and monitoring were discussed. It is expected
that resource consent will be issued in mid-March 2016. The tender award will
follow with construction expected to commence in early April and be completed
in June 2016.
37. A rough order cost of $550,000
for construction of a footpath on East Coast Road, Silverdale, from its
intersection with Hibiscus Coast Highway up to 59 Tavern Road, together with
the installation of a pedestrian phase on the north-eastern side of the traffic
signals at the intersection of East Coast Road and Hibiscus Coast Highway and
an associated pram crossing/pedestrian refuge in the vicinity of 59 Tavern
Road, was forwarded to the local board’s TPLs on 9 February 2016.
38. An estimate for the cost of the
detailed design for the project, requested at the local board’s meeting on 17
February 2016 by the local board chairperson, Julia Parfitt, is $75,000.
39. Funds committed to detailed
design work cannot be capitalised unless a project proceeds. Given that there
is no guarantee that AT will have sufficient funding in its minor safety or
walking and cycling budgets to construct this footpath in the foreseeable
future, there is reluctance to proceed with such a costly detailed design
without a commitment from the local board that it is prepared to proceed with
the project.
40. Should the local board not be
willing to proceed with the detailed design and subsequent construction of the
footpath using LBTCF monies from the 2016/2017 financial years, it is
recommended that it defer any decision on this project to the local board elected
in October 2016.
Issues Update
41. The following Issues Update
comprises issues raised by elected members and local board services staff to 3
March 2016:
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Location
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Issue
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Status
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1
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ATHOP Card
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ATHOP/Senior's Card request for reimbursement.
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A request for reimbursement for
charges incurred as a result of a HOP card not being correctly loaded with a
senior's concession rate and considered previously but rejected was again
referred to AT public transport staff on the request of the Office of Murray
McCully MP. On 15 February 2016 Ms Stanford, Murray McCulley's Electorate
Agent, was advised that the request to refund the fares paid by the elderly
couple on their AT HOP cards had been escalated to the AT HOP Operations
Manager for further reconsideration. However, AT will not be refunding the
fares charged on this occasion. In order to receive the SuperGold rate for
public transport, customers can either present their SuperGold card to obtain
a paper ticket or utilise an AT HOP card loaded with the SuperGold concession.
Due to the fact there was no SuperGold concession applied at the time the
travel was undertaken, the fares charged were valid and correct and cannot be
refunded. In addition to information on AT's website, targeted advertising
campaigns around the AT HOP card and concessions are run. Furthermore, a
notification sent out at the end of November 2015 saw a significant increase
in the number of SuperGold concessions loaded onto AT HOP cards. In light of
the recent changes announced by the Ministry of Transport whereby all
SuperGold customers will be required to use an AT HOP card to receive the
discounted travel fare from 1 July 2016, a review of the registration process
is being carried out with the aim to make it easier and more accessible for customers.
Further information and the appropriate communications will be provided as
these become available.
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2
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Gulf Harbour Ferries
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Request for information about Gulf Harbour Ferry fees and
schedule changes.
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Member Fitzgerald asked on 4
February 2016 why the ferry charges from Gulf Harbour to the city had been
increased by as much as $100 for the monthly pass, apparently without the
local boards being advised of the changes, and also why there had been
several cancellations of late, querying whether even the larger vessels
weren't able to sail during inclement weather. On 23 February 2016 AT’s
General Manager Metro advised that the monthly ferry pass is for use on the
ferry only and is reflective of the single trip price, which in turn is
representative of the cost of operating the ferry. As ferries cost more to
operate than buses and differ significantly by route, all ferry monthly
passes are priced on an individual ferry route basis and do not include
general bus and rail travel; there are separate bus and rail zonal monthly
passes. It is intended to operate every ferry sailing but when the operator
can’t operate, due to poor weather for example, an alternative bus is
scheduled. The use of the bus is covered by the ferry monthly pass. AT does
not issue reimbursements if ferries do not operate and buses have to be put
on as this is intended to be infrequent. If it did, the cost of the monthly
pass would need to be increased. It was acknowledged that services over the
last few months have unfortunately been affected by adverse weather and
marine conditions, and also by occasional mechanical problems experienced
with vessels. AT continues to make progress with 360 Discovery in resolving
these mechanical issues, and whilst this has already resulted in a significant
decrease in cancellations and late running, weather conditions continue to be
the largest cause of reliability issues on the service. Due to the ‘open
water nature’ of the route to Gulf Harbour, services are still prone to the
impact of rough conditions at sea and excessive swells which can even occur
on a ‘blue sky’ day. Whilst other routes in the region may be protected by
the geography of the Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf, the route up to
Gulf Harbour is not so well protected from a North easterly swell. As a
result, there are occasions when even the larger vessels are unable to safely
operate and are thus unfortunately cancelled.
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3
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Whangaparaoa Road, Tindalls Bay
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Query regarding the recent sealing of Whangaparaoa Road,
Tindalls Bay.
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On 17 February 2015 Crs W
Walker and Watson queried the use of chip seal rather than smooth seal on
Whangaparaoa Road heading up to Gulf Harbour (Tindalls Hill) instead of
smooth seal. Referred to Road Corridor Delivery North.
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4
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Gulf Harbour Ferry
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Gulf Harbour Ferry and the provision of ancillary
services.
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Cr Walker asked on 17 February
2015 about the provision of bus connections to the Gulf Harbour ferry
service; and the provision of bike racks/electric charging facilities and
bike rental services. Referred to PT Operations and PT Facilities.
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5
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24 Silverdale Street, Silverdale
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Bus stop at 24 Silverdale Street, Silverdale, repainted
incorrectly.
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At a meeting with the
Silverdale Business Association on 27 January 2016 it was advised that
markings for a bus stop had been repainted incorrectly, the length of the bus
stop having been reduced when the Hibiscus Coast New Network had been
implemented in October 2016 so that it no longer impinged on the driveway of
24 Silverdale Street. Referred to RCD North.
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6
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Beach Road, Mairangi Bay
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Request for traffic calming on Beach Road, Mairangi Bay.
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Mr John Bower presented to the
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board on Wednesday, 17 February 2016, about traffic
safety issues in Mairangi Bay shopping centre. The local board asked that
these be investigated and that appropriate measures be taken to calm traffic
in the area.
A response was forwarded to members on 1 March 2016, advising that, in
relation to the speed limit request, central government is leading
substantial change in relation to speed management and associated speed
limits. A new draft speed management framework is being developed. Supporting
its development is a demonstration project to test a new approach to speed
management using this new approach. The Waikato region has been selected to
demonstrate the new draft guide over the coming year at a number of yet to be
determined locations in the region. The guide intends to offer a toolbox of
different ways to manage speeds on roads. The aim is to reduce deaths and serious
injuries, while supporting overall economic productivity. Both the framework
and demonstration of the guide align with the Government’s Safer Journeys
Strategy. The aim is to develop a nationally consistent approach to speed
management. This will better enable AT to be in a position to provide a more
holistic response to speed management and consider this in the wider context
of the aspirations for Auckland, including consideration of appropriate speed
management of the Auckland CBD and town centres such as the Mairangi Bay
Village. For this reason, there are no immediate plans for a speed limit
reduction on Beach Road at the Mairangi Bay Village at this stage; however
this road will be investigated as part of wider speed management planning in
2017. As a first step, AT is currently working on a pilot project for a
30km/h zone in the Wynyard/Viaduct area north of Fanshawe Street as part of
this national demonstration project. The outcomes of this project will help
to guide future proposals for reduced speed limits across the wider CBD and
town centre environments within the region. Regarding the safety concerns
raised, AT is considering the merit of the suggested safety measures, but is
not yet in a position to commit to any of the suggested changes. However, the
two roundabouts and the intersection between Beach Road and Hastings Road
pose a low road safety risk and, based on crash records, are currently
operating relatively safely.
Regarding the suggestion for a right turn prohibition for traffic exiting Hastings
Road into Beach Road, there is no suitable alternative route and doing so
would put additional pressure on other parts of the network. Right turn
prohibition also has a very low level of compliance which creates additional
potential for conflict. AT is therefore unable to proceed with this request.
In relation to the proposed parking restrictions, parking restrictions on
Beach Road north of the roundabout are proposed due to the geometry of the
road and steep embankments, which mean that it is very difficult for
residents exiting their driveways to see approaching vehicles. Whilst the
parking restrictions could result in a minor increase in traffic speeds it
should also make it safer for vehicles to enter and exit driveways along this
section of road.
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7
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Gulf Harbour Reserve, Whangaparaoa
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Request for cycle racks on Gulf Harbour Reserve,
Whangaparaoa.
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Member Fitzgerald requested the
installation of cycle racks in the vicinity of the Gulf Harbour Ferry
terminal, for use by those commuters who choose to cycle to catch the ferry,
on 29 February 2016. Referred to PT Facilities.
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8
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Maire Road, Orewa
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Spill from lights installed on Maire Road, Orewa.
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Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
Chairperson, Julia Parfitt, asked on 24 February 2016 that light spill from lights
recently installed along the southern side of Maire Road between #68 and the
intersection of Harvest Road, onto a property north of the new formed
subdivision, be addressed. Referred to Street Lighting Engineers.
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9
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AT Hop Cards
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Purchase and use of AT HOP cards by Hibiscus Coast senior
citizens.
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At a Hibiscus and Bays Local
Board transport portfolio leads meeting on 28 January 2016, Member Fitzgerald
asked that a team from AT be made available at the Hibiscus Coast Busway
Station in Silverdale to assist holders of SuperGold cards with the
registration of their AT HOP cards, then loading of their senior citizens
status onto their cards, prior to the time in July when all senior citizens
must have purchased and be using an AT HOP card. Referred to PT.
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10
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Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa
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Safety on pedestrian crossing at 226 Hibiscus Coast
Highway, Orewa.
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At a Hibiscus and Bays Local
Board transport portfolio leads meeting on 28 January 2016, local board
chairperson Julia Parfitt asked that safety be reviewed at the pedestrian
crossing outside Plantation, at 226 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa. Referred
to Road Safety
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11
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2 - 58 Waiwera Road, Waiwera
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Pedestrian Safety 2 - 58 Waiwera Road, Waiwera.
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At a Hibiscus and Bays Local
Board transport portfolio leads meeting on 28 January 2016, local board
chairperson Julia Parfitt asked that pedestrian safety be reviewed along the
stretch of 2 – 58 Waiwera Road, Waiwera. Referred to Road Safety.
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12
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Arkles Bay, Whangaparaoa
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Arkles Bay Bus Trial, Whangaparaoa.
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At a Hibiscus and Bays Local
Board meeting on 17 February 2016, Member Gaye Harding-Kirikiri asked for an
update on the Arkles Bay bus trial. Referred to PT.
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13
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Beach Road, Mairangi Bay
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Request for a raised pedestrian crossing on Beach Road,
Mairangi Bay.
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In response to a request from a
constituent for a raised pedestrian crossing on Beach Road, Mairangi Bay, the
local board's TPLs were advised on 2 March 2016 that the crossing will be
added to the candidate list for minor improvements. This programme of work is
subject to an annual reprioritisation of projects for delivery within the
allocated resources and funding.
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14
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Whangaparaoa Road, Gulf Harbour
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Pothole repairs required on Whangaparaoa Road, Gulf
Harbour.
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Member Fitzgerald forwarded
photographs of a pothole on Whangaparaoa Road in the vicinity of Gulf Harbour
roundabout on 1 March 2016, asking that it be repaired. Referred to Road
Corridor Delivery.
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Consideration
Local
Board views and implications
42. This report is for the local
board’s information.
Māori
impact statement
43. No specific issues with regard to
the Maori Impact Statement are triggered by this report.
Implementation
44. The activities detailed in this
report do not trigger the Significance Policy, all programmes and activities
are within budget/in line with the Council’s Annual Plan and LTP documents and
there are no legal or legislative implications arising from the activities
detailed in this report.
45. There are no implementation
issues.
Attachments
There are no attachments for this
report.
Signatories
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Authors
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Ellen Barrett, Elected Member Relationship Manager,
Auckland Transport
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Authorisers
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Jonathan Anyon, Tea, Manager Elected Member
Relationship Management , Auckland Transport
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