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Hillsborough Road, Hillsborough - New pedestrian crossing Hillsborough Road, Hillsborough - New pedestrian crossing

Proposal status: Feedback closed 21 May 2020, last updated 25 February 2021.

Reference number: CSFPU1.8

Proposal outcome

We received a high amount of supportive feedback from the community regarding this project.

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on AT and the wider Auckland Council whanau. As a result, Auckland Council has implemented an Emergency Budget which has reduced AT’s capital and operating budgets. This could mean this project is delayed. We will be in touch with you when we know more about how this project will be impacted by the current budget constraints. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

Once the budget is confirmed, the proposal will proceed without changes to the next stage of detailed planning before being constructed. 

Thank you to everyone who responded to our proposal and gave us the chance to better understand your community and concerns. A summary of your feedback and our responses to community questions is below

Community feedback

  • Request for a cycle box at the traffic lights. The design will go ahead as per initial proposal.
  • Query what the white boxes are in front of houses 348A-360. Suggestion to remove them if they are for car parking. The white boxes mark out parking. The main intention of this feature is to have an edge line which will narrow the carriageway on approach to the crossing as the westbound lane is wide when there is no parking.
  • Suggestion for advanced warning lights or signs. Advance warning signs will be installed as part of the works.
  • Concern about the number of traffic lights already on Hillsborough Road and the more traffic lights aggravating drivers. The level of traffic on Hillsborough Road is very high and this makes it difficult for children to cross the road outside their school. Therefore, these traffic lights are deemed necessary to ensure that young people can cross the road safely.
  • Suggestion for an overpass walkway or a tunnel underneath the road instead. The cost associated with the suggested alternatives is significant and can be used elsewhere to improve the quality of existing infrastructure.
    An overpass may not be accessible to mobility impaired pedestrians which does not align with Auckland Transport vision to provide safe infrastructure for all ages and abilities.
    A tunnel is not an ideal solution as it is perceived as a poor amenity by pedestrians and people may not choose to use it due to concerns around personal safety and security.
  • Suggestion to create a cycling route by removing on-street parking or to create a park and walk/bike facility. We are currently undertaking a number of projects looking at ways to increase safety for active modes of travel such as cycling and walking. There will be opportunity to provide feedback on these proposals in due course. This will enable these projects to deliver an improved road safety environment which meets the needs of local residents and visitors. As these projects are currently at the early stages, we have no detailed timescales on when consultation will be available, nor when any changes will occur.
  • Concern that the crossing needs to be closer to, or past, Hillsdale Road. The proposed location for the crossing facility aligns with entrance to Waikowhai Primary School and where most people wish to cross the road. We believe this is the ideal location to ensure that the crossing does not get underutilised.
  • Concern about putting a crossing on a corner that is not flat. Sightline checks have been carried out to ensure approaching drivers have adequate forward visibility of the crossing and enough distance to come to a complete stop. Warning signs will be installed well in advance to warn drivers that they are approaching a set of traffic lights.
  • Concerns that the traffic lights won't be seen easily due to being on a bend and result in more accidents. In addition to the sightline checks that have been carried out and warning signs being installed, there will be skid-resistant surfacing laid to reduce vehicle stopping distances.
  • Concern that traffic will build up in peak hours due to other traffic lights further along Hillsborough Road. The distance between the two crossings is enough so that they will not affect each other. This will be monitored after construction and timings adjusted if necessary. Longer queues are expected at the new location as a result of the crossing, however we believe it is a suitable compromise to ensure that school children can cross the road safely outside Waikowhai Primary School.
  • Concern about the removal of 14 parking spaces, particularly for school traffic during drop off and pick up times. There is nearby on-street parking available on Hillsborough road and side streets. Parking removal is required to ensure that vehicles have unhindered visibility of people using the crossing.
  • Suggestion to stop cars from parking on Hillsborough Road before and after school. Auckland Transport support and encourage active transport and use of public transport for the journey to and from school. This is to support both road safety outcomes outside the school gate and reduce congestion on the roads. We have dedicated resources to promote parking and walking from identified locations close to schools, but not immediately in front of the school gate. Parking time restrictions are used to encourage turnover in areas that experience high parking demand. We are currently undertaking a trial looking at a number of suitable options to provide safety outside schools for all road users, in particular students and their families. We thank you for your patience during the trial period.
  • Concern about the fuel and gas lines that run under Hillsborough Road and the potential for a fatal explosion or accident. Prior to excavation we will mark out all underground services, pothole, locate and protect them. We will obtain consents/permits and arrange the required stand overs to ensure the risk is eliminated.

In May 2020, we proposed changes in your area

To improve road crossing safety for pedestrians and cyclists, Puketāpapa Local Board and Auckland Transport proposed to install a new crossing with traffic lights at 365 Hillsborough Road in Hillsborough. We proposed to:

  • install a new crossing with traffic lights to make it easier for people to cross the road and access the primary school and public transport in the area, especially during peak traffic times
  • install a skid-resistant road surface to help slow vehicles speeds before the crossing
  • install new road markings to support the crossing and make sure the crossings can be clearly seen by approaching drivers
  • paint broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) next to the crossing to make sure that parked cars do not block the view of the crossing and pedestrians. This involves removing 14 car parking spaces.

Download the original proposal drawing for Hillsborough Road (PDF 1MB)

Community Safety Fund

This proposal is part of the Community Safety Fund. Auckland Transport is partnered with the Puketāpapa Local Board to deliver this project, as part of more than 80 safety improvement projects across the Auckland region. The Community Safety Fund is a $20 million programme focused on addressing local road safety concerns raised by the community to local boards and ward councillors.

Hillsborough: Safe with us

Auckland Transport cares for your safety. We want to make our roads safe for everyone, people walking and cycling, especially for our kids and senior citizens and people driving. Projects like this one around Hillsborough Road are another step towards our goal of achieving no deaths or serious injuries on our roads. We are guided by the Vision Zero approach to transport safety, which prioritises human safety over other measures (like minor time saving).

Next steps

We will be in touch with you when we know more about how this project will be impacted by the current budget constraints. Once funding is secured, our contractors will send notices to residents or businesses affected by works 48 hours before the work starts.