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Exminster St and Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay – Intersection upgrade Exminster St and Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay – Intersection upgrade

Consultation status: closed 23 March 2018

Proposal reference: MIP1718-055

Installation of a roundabout at the intersection of Exminster Street and Rathlin Street, that will include: 

  • Construction of a new centre island that will be mountable along the outer perimeter.
  • Development of new traffic refuges on three of the four legs.
  • Construction of speed tables on both Rathlin Street legs and speed cushions on both Exminster Street legs.
  • Minor alterations to footpaths, including the construction of new pram crossings.
  • Installation of new broken yellow lines, including parking removal.
  • Changes to road markings and signage.

View the consultation drawing for Exminster Street and Rathlin Street (PDF 2.35MB)

Why the changes are needed

This proposal will address safety and visibility issues at the Exminster Street/Rathlin Street intersection in Blockhouse Bay. Our investigation shows that many vehicles driving along Rathlin Street fail to stop and give way at the intersection, resulting in collisions. Installation of a roundabout and speed tables will force drivers to slow on their approach and to be aware of pedestrians and surrounding traffic prior to proceeding through the intersection. This follows from an earlier proposal to install Broken Yellow Lines at this location. We will not be implementing that proposal. 

Feedback

The proposal received positive feedback with some concerns raised by respondents. After reviewing this feedback and all other supporting evidence, the proposal will proceed with minor changes to the next stage of detailed planning.

View the revised drawing for Exminster Street and Rathlin Street (PDF 2.35MB)

Specific feedback

  • Request to reduce the extent of broken yellow lines to be installed on Rathlin Street north of the intersection. Installation of broken yellow lines along Rathlin Street will improve visibility both for drivers and pedestrians.
  • Concerns regarding an off-duty AT Metro bus that frequently parks on the street overnight and causes visibility issues. If you continue to observe this as an issue, please contact the Auckland Transport Contact Centre at 09 355 3553.
  • Requests to install further speed calming measures around the bend on Rathlin Street, outside the Blockhouse Bay Recreational Reserve. Our site observations and speed data results did not suggest that there are major hazards on this stretch of Rathlin Street, so we do not recommend the installation of speed humps at this location.
  • Query as to the difference between a speed table and a speed hump. Speed tables are wider and flat-topped, with ramps on either side. This means that speed tables can be incorporated into an informal crossing for pedestrians. They are also better suited for large vehicles, including buses and waste collection trucks.
  • Suggestion that Exminster Street does not experience heavy foot traffic and that, as a result, pedestrian refuges are not necessary. Pedestrian refuge islands are a crucial component in the design of a roundabout, allowing connectivity and accessibility for vulnerable road users.
  • Concern that the pedestrian refuge islands will make it difficult for residents to access their driveways.
    The proposal has now been revised to avoid any potential issues around driveway access which involves: 
    • a reduction in the length of proposed refuge islands,
    • and ensuring that refuge islands are mountable.
  • Request to install zebra crossings on the raised speed tables. As pedestrian counts are relatively low at this location, we are unable to install a zebra crossing at present. Nevertheless, should pedestrian counts increase in the future, a zebra crossing may be considered at that time.

Next steps

We expect to introduce this work between July 2018 and June 2019, subject to further changes in design or funding issues.

Contractors will issue notices to all affected residents prior to construction work.