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Huntly Avenue, Grafton – New Loading Zone Huntly Avenue, Grafton – New Loading Zone

Proposal status: Feedback closed 23 February 2021. Last updated 22 April 2021

Reference number: RTV-336

Proposal outcome

In February 2021, we requested feedback on a proposal to create a new loading zone on Huntly Avenue in Grafton. After reviewing all the feedback, we are proceeding with the work as proposed. These works will help support our Vision Zero goal.

What happens next

We anticipate the loading zone will be installed in June 2021. We will be in touch with local residents and businesses prior to any construction taking place to minimise disruption.

Proposed loading zone location

  • Suggestion to put the loading zone on the other side of the road (outside 1 Huntly Avenue) so it is opposite the apartment block, not immediately outside it. Outside the apartment block will limit driver’s view of what is coming.
    The proposed loading zone will be at a safe distance from the apartment entrance and will provide good visibility for drivers coming out onto the road. If the loading zone were installed on the other side of the road, we would not be able to meet the loading zone length requirement for visibility because of the driveways on both sides and angled parking.
  • Suggestions to move the loading zone further along the road past the entrance to the apartment block or at 8 Huntly Ave.
    There is not enough space past the apartment entrance to accommodate a loading zone due to length requirements. Also, moving further up the road will result in trucks parking too close to the No Entry section of Huntly Avenue, creating safety and visibility issues.
  • Suggestion to reduce the path or planted berm outside of the Ockham building and create a loading zone there so it does not disrupt the current parking layout.
    The footpath outside number 8 Huntly Avenue is not wide enough to accommodate a loading zone; a truck stopped in the loading zone would block the driveways.
  • Suggestion to put the loading zone on the berm instead of the road.
    We do not recommend parking on the berm as it cause significant damage to the water and electricity services underneath it and will create visibility issues for road users.

Loading zone implementation

  • Concerns the location of the loading zone will make the current problem of cars queueing to turn right into Huntly Ave even worse than it already is.
    We believe the proposed loading zone will have no significant impact on the vehicle queue because loading zones are occupied for short periods of time as compared to an on-street parking space. No safety concerns were raised by our Road Safety and Traffic Engineering teams.
  • Concerns about the proximity to Khyber Pass Road.
    The proposed loading zone is approximately 18m from the Huntly Avenue and Khyber Pass intersection and will allow good sight lines to road users.
  • Query why the loading zone is being put back in as it was only removed 1 year ago.
    The previous loading zone was removed because it was temporary. It was part of the Traffic Management Plan (TMP) for the development on Huntly Avenue and the previous loading zone was removed once the development was finished. Recently we have received requests from residents asking for a permanent loading zone.
  • Concern that 5 minutes limit may not be long enough.
    Loading zones can be used for more than 5 minutes, given that the person carrying out deliveries is returning to vehicle every 5 minutes.
  • Suggestion to make the zone specific to furniture moving trucks/people moving in and out of the apartment block.
    On-street parking is a valuable and finite asset and any changes to on-street parking should meet wider community needs. Therefore, we are unable to restrict this loading zone only for furniture moving.
  • Concern that vehicles using the loading zone will need to do a 3-point / U-turn to be able to park in it as most vehicles enter from Khyber Pass Road.
    Whilst we understand your concern, this will not be different from what most of the vehicles currently do on Huntly Avenue. If done safely a 3-point turn should not create any issues for other road users.
  • Query who has requested the loading zone.
    We received multiple requests from the residents and businesses requesting for a loading zone nearby because without a loading zone delivery trucks, tradies, and courier drivers park on footpath which creates safety concerns and accessibility issues.

Collisions

  • Concerns about that cars leaving Huntly Avenue will have to cross the centre line to pass the loading zone.
    We understand your concern and can see that vehicles will be driving toward the centre line when loading zone is in use. To make it safer for road users we have proposed broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) opposite the loading zone. This will allow room for vehicles to drive past the loading zone safely.
  • Concerns about increased risk of collision at the Huntly Avenue and Khyber Pass Road intersection.
    The proposed loading zone is approximately 18m from the intersection of Huntly Avenue and Khyber Pass Road. The proposal provided adequate visibility to vehicles both exiting and entering Huntly Avenue.

Parking spaces

  • Multiple concerns that there is already limited parking on Huntly Avenue and removing two parking spaces is unnecessary and will make it much worse.
    Huntly Avenue is part of Residential Parking Zone and vehicles with a residential permit are not limited to park just on Huntly Avenue, they can park on any street within the zone. Because on-street parking is a communal resource, AT suggests that residents or business do not rely on on-street parking for their parking needs as the parking layout can change, as it has in this case.
  • Concern the removal of parking spaces will encourage parking on the grass verges.
    The loading zone is proposed to stop delivery vans, tradies, and trucks from parking on the berm. However, if there is an increase in people parking on grass AT will monitor the area and will take appropriate actions to negate that.

Huntly Avenue

  • Concerns that cars will have to turn onto the wrong side of the road when the loading zone is in use because Huntly Avenue is a narrow road and the proposed zone outside the entry/exit for an apartment block.
    We understand your concern and can see that vehicles will be driving toward the centre line when loading zone is in use. Huntly Avenue is 8.8m wide and is not classified as a narrow road. To make it safer for road users we have proposed broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) opposite the loading zone. This will allow room for vehicles to drive past the loading zone safely.
  • Suggestion to redesign the southern end of Huntly Avenue to stop cars coming up Huntly Ave the wrong way and going through the No Entry sign.
    There are existing ‘no entry’ signs halfway through Huntly Avenue indicating that northbound traffic from Khyber Pass Road cannot continue past the side island. Huntly Avenue is essentially a ‘No Exit’ street if accessing from the Khyber Pass Road side. There is also an existing ‘no exit’ sign at the intersection informing motorists of this. If drivers are entering through the ‘no entry’ signs, the issue can be raised with NZ Police.
  • Concern about exiting Huntly Avenue on to Khyber Pass Road/Request for residents (not through traffic) to be able to exit Huntly Avenue at the top of the road. Currently there is a no entry sign halfway along Huntly Avenue.
    AT generally does not add exceptions for certain type of road users or vehicles on local roads. In this case, it would be difficult to differentiate between residents and through traffic, resulting in an overall increase in northbound vehicles on Huntly Avenue. NZ Police may also find it difficult to enforce this.

We're proposing improvements in your area

Aucklanders have told us that moving around our city safely and easily is important to them so we are proposing some improvements to your area. We have been asked by the local community to add a P5 Loading Zone (5 minute parking restriction) opposite 1 Huntly Avenue and are asking for your views.

The changes we are proposing:

  • Install a P5 Loading Zone, At All Times, opposite 1 Huntly Avenue. The existing broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) at this location will be removed
  • Install new signs to support the loading zone
  • Paint broken yellow lines outside 1 Huntly Avenue. This will result in 2 parking spaces being removed.

These changes aim to discourage delivery vehicles from double parking in the traffic lane by providing businesses with short term parking for deliveries. Adding broken yellow lines opposite the loading zone will ensure that the road is kept accessible.

Download the proposal drawing for Huntly Avenue (PDF 199KB)

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.
  • We can email you the proposal outcome as soon as it’s ready – just select that option when you fill in the survey.

Grafton: 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 Huntly Avenue 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).