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Howe Street, Freemans Bay – Raised zebra crossing Howe Street, Freemans Bay – Raised zebra crossing

Proposal status: Feedback closed 13 May 2021

Reference number: SSP2021-001B

Proposal Outcome

In April 2021, we proposed changes to improve pedestrian safety in Howe Street, Freemans Bay. After reviewing all the feedback we received, we are proceeding with the following minor changes: 

  • Extending the proposed southern side island along the western kerb, further south by approximately 10m.  
  • Creating one additional car park on the western kerb, south of the crossing. 

These works will help support our Vision Zero goal.   

Download the updated drawing PDF

What happens next

We anticipate the changes will be constructed in the 2021/2022 financial year. We will be in touch with local residents and business prior to any construction taking place.

Community feedback

Thank you for helping us make better decisions for your neighbourhood, informed by your local knowledge.  A summary of your feedback and our responses to community questions is below. 

  • Request to upgrade footpath at project location due to protruding tree roots causing a trip hazard.  
    We have passed this feedback on for our maintenance team to investigate and action if necessary.  
  • Request for additional streetlights to be installed along Howe Street and/or at the crossing point. Observation that the street gets very dark early in the afternoon due to tree canopy cover. Suggestion to upgrade streetlighting to be similar to the lighting upgrade on Franklin Rd.  
    Our streetlighting team are investigating this and will look to improve the lighting at this location if it is deemed to not currently be sufficient. 
  • Concern removal of carparks is unnecessary, and pedestrian islands & widened footpaths are sufficient.  
    Parking removal is necessary to ensure good visibility for drivers exiting gate 2 and 3 of Auckland Girls Grammar School, in order to see northbound motorists on Howe Street. We have however, revised this proposal and now only one parking space will be removed. 
  • Concern about fast vehicle travelling speeds along Howe Street, observation of cars travelling at 80km/h. Request for further speed calming measures. 
    Parking removal is necessary to ensure good visibility for drivers exiting gate 2 and 3 of Auckland Girls Grammar School, in order to see northbound motorists on Howe Street. We have however, revised this proposal and now only one parking space will be removed. 
     

We're proposing improvements in your area

Auckland Girls Grammar School have asked us to make improvements to pedestrian safety in Howe Street, Freemans Bay. We are proposing to upgrade the existing zebra crossing to a raised zebra crossing and are asking your views.

The changes we are proposing:

  • Upgrade the existing zebra crossing outside 49 Howe Street to a raised zebra crossing.
  • The removal of two car parks directly downhill from this crossing outside gates 2 and 3 of Auckland Girls Grammar School.
  • Reconstruct footpaths to join the edge of the crossing with the footpath fitted with tactile pavers, which are yellow guidance paving markers to help visually impaired people to find their way to the crossing and safely cross the road.
  • Install new kerb build outs and traffic islands at the new raised zebra crossing.
  • Install new signs, streetlights and road markings, and add orange reflective discs at the crossing point, to reflect these changes.

These changes are in response to a request from Auckland Girls Grammar School. The aim is to reduce driving speeds and improve visibility of the crossing, overall improving the safety of people in the area. The existing crossing is heavily utilised by students as it is in very close proximity to the school. The current car parks limit visibility of northbound motorists for those turning out of the school gates.

Download the proposal drawing for Howe Street (PDF 771KB)

If you would like to post in your feedback, download and print our feedback form template, fill in your details and send it freepost using the address details on the form.

What happens next

  • We’ll listen to all the feedback we receive, and then decide the best way to move forward.
  • We’ll post the outcome of this proposal and a summary of community feedback on this webpage.
  • This project is subject to funding and decisions by Auckland Transport and Auckland Council in the Regional Land Transport Plan. We are seeking feedback now so that we can be prepared once the funding for this project is given the go ahead.
  • We can email you the proposal outcome as soon as it’s ready – just select that option when you fill in the survey.

More information

  • This proposal is supported by the Auckland Regional fuel tax and is part of the Safe Schools Programme.

Freemans Bay: 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 Howe Street 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).