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Mount Albert Road and Hillsborough Road, Royal Oak – Raised Zebra Crossing Mount Albert Road and Hillsborough Road, Royal Oak – Raised Zebra Crossing

Proposal status: Closed

Reference number: RTV-408

Proposal update

In addition to the other changes, we will also:

  • Reconstruct the pram crossing outside 592 and 563 Mount Albert Road and install tactile pavers for improved visibility.

In May 2022, we advised you that the construction timeline for this project would be within the 2022 to 2023 financial year. We plan to begin these works in May 2023 and the work duration will be up to 6 weeks.

Contractors will issue 48-hour notices to all affected residents prior to construction work. They will be able respond to any questions and concerns regarding the project during the construction timeframe.

View the updated proposal drawing for this project. (PDF 471KB)

Proposal outcome

Proposal outcome In February 2022, AT and the Puketāpapa Local Board proposed to improve pedestrian safety at the intersection of Mount Albert Road and Hillsborough Road, Royal Oak. After reviewing all the feedback, AT and the Puketāpapa Local Board are proceeding with the work as proposed. These works will help support our Vision Zero goal.

What happens next

We anticipate the changes will be constructed in the 2022/23 financial year, before June 2023. We will be in touch with local residents and businesses prior to any construction taking place.

Community feedback

Thank you for helping us make better decisions for your neighbourhood, informed by your local knowledge. The majority of respondents were supportive of this proposal.

In their feedback people reported feeling unsafe currently crossing at this location, as there are no safe crossing facilities in place, or speed calming measures to reduce the speed of vehicles turning into Hillsborough Road. It was further noted by those in support of the proposal that it would improve visibility between pedestrians and drivers at this location, increasing the safety of vulnerable road users crossing.

The following is a summary of the additional comments and queries we received, and our responses to them.

Speed calming

  • Request for speed bumps or speed calming devices to be installed on Mount Albert Road, as drivers can approach the left turn onto Hillsborough Road at a high speed.
    Thank you for your request. The proposed zebra crossing will be raised, therefore the speed will be reduced as drivers travel over the raised zebra crossing. In addition to the proposed works, Auckland Transport will install a speed counter on Mount Albert Road to measure vehicle speeds as they turn into Hillsborough Road. This will assist help us to monitor speed in the area and identify if further speed calming measures are required after the raised zebra crossing is installed.
  • Request to install signals or warnings ahead of the crossing as guide to slow down drivers approaching the crossing.
    Thank you for your request, warning signs will be installed to guide drivers to slow down as they approach the crossing.
  • Concern that drivers run red lights turning left onto Mount Albert Road from Hillsborough Road, and do not see people still crossing due to the blind spot on the corner.
    Auckland Transport will review the current lines of site between pedestrians and drivers at the Mont Albert Road and Hillsborough Road intersection crossing and will install a “Give Way to Pedestrian” sign if required.

Existing Signalised Crossing

  • Request for further safety measures to be installed at the existing signalised crossing, as crossing here is dangerous.
    Auckland Transport will undertake a road safety audit of the intersection, the proposed crossing, and the existing signalised crossing, and make any safety changes to the design if necessary.
  • Concern that the traffic light phasing on the crossing here is not long enough and does not provide people with enough time to cross.
    Auckland Transport will review the traffic light phasing and timing, to ensure that all pedestrians have enough time to cross safely.

Visibility

  • Concern that the black fence on the corner of Mount Albert Road obscures drivers view of pedestrians waiting to use the crossing.
    As part of the detailed design phase of the project we will check the visibility at this location and make changes if necessary.
  • Request for more signage and road markings to increase visibility of pedestrians using the crossing.
    As part of the proposed works, we will install appropriate signages, road markings, tactile pavers (yellow guidance paving markers) and review the streetlights to ensure that they are all compliant with Auckland Transport design standards.
  • Concerned about pedestrians taking shortcuts as there are visibility issues at this intersection.
    As part of the detailed design phase of this project, which is the next stage, we will check the sight line between drivers and pedestrians at the crossing point, and add appropriate signages, road markings, tactile pavers (yellow guidance paving markers) and review the street lighting to encourage pedestrians to cross at the safer raised zebra crossing.

Footpath Maintenance

  • Request for the footpath near the new crossing to be maintained and fixed, as it is currently a safety hazard.
    Thank you for your request. During the detailed design phase of this proposal, which is the next stage, we will review the condition of the nearby footpath and organise repairs if necessary. You can request other network improvements via our online form.

Cyclists

  • Concern that this proposal does not improve the safety of cyclists. Request for further safety improvements to be installed for cyclists at this location, such as cycle lanes.
    Thank you for raising these safety concerns with us. At present installing a cycle lane is out of scope of this improvement, however if you would like to see future cycling infrastructure installed at this location you can request these changes via our online form. In addition, we will raise a CRM request for you, and the customer services team will be in touch with a case number when available.
  • Request to remove the slip lane all together, as it is dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists.
    Thank you for your request. Removing the slip lane will increase the crossing distance and the time it takes pedestrians to cross Hillsborough Road. This will also increase congestion at this already busy intersection. At this stage we will not be removing the slip lane as raising the zebra crossing is still the safest option, without comprising the existing signal operation.

We proposed improvements in your area

AT and the Puketāpapa Local Board are proposing to improve pedestrian safety at the Mount Albert Road and Hillsborough Road intersection by installing a raised zebra crossing. 

We proposed to:

  • Install a raised zebra crossing on the corner of 565 Mount Albert Road, at the intersection of Mount Albert Road and Hillsborough Road. The new zebra crossing will be on a platform level with the footpath. This will improve road safety by slowing high traffic speeds near the crossing.
  • Install tactile pavers at both approaches to the new crossing and heading east to cross Hillsborough Road. Tactile pavers are yellow guidance paving markers to help visually impaired people to find their way to crossings and safely across roads.
  • Reconstruct the footpath so that pedestrians are able to use the crossing safely.
  • Install new signage to alert drivers to the new raised crossing.

Download the proposal drawing for Mount Albert Road and Hillsborough Road (PDF 624KB)

These changes will increase pedestrian safety in the area by providing a safer place to cross this busy intersection. The raised zebra crossing will guide drivers to slow down when approaching the slip lane, while also giving pedestrians priority when waiting to cross the road.

Royal Oak: 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 Mount Albert Road and 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).