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Mountain View Rd, Western Springs - Speed calming Mountain View Rd, Western Springs - Speed calming

Consultation status: closed 25 May 2018

Proposal reference: MIP1718-016

We are proposing to install new speed humps outside 28 and 36 Mountain View Road.

Download the consultation drawing for Mountain View Road (PDF 1MB)

Why the changes are needed

The speed humps are recommended at this location in order to slow down traffic as it approaches the bend in the road. The proposed changes will improve safety at this bend where there have been a number of serious crashes due to loss of driver control.

Feedback

The proposal received mixed feedback with some concerns raised by respondents. After reviewing this feedback and all other supporting evidence, the proposal will proceed without changes to the next stage of detailed planning.

Specific feedback

  • Respondents believe that the proposed speed humps will be ineffective at slowing traffic along Mountain View Road in their current location. It is suggested that relocating the speed humps or increasing their number will prove to be more effective. Humps have been specifically located to prevent vehicles from speeding and losing control on the bend. Moving the humps away from the bend would slow vehicles down earlier but also allow them to regain speed before the corner and potentially lose control.
  • Request for the existing speed hump to be moved back from the intersection with Levonia Street to the corner on Mountain View Road. Respondent believes that this speed hump is dangerous for cyclists as both hands are needed on the handlebars which prevents cyclists from signalling in a timely fashion. The location of the existing hump serves to slow vehicles down as they approach the stop controlled intersection of Mountain View Rd and Levonia St. We are not looking at relocating it, there have been no reported incidents/crashes at this intersection in the last 5 years. However, we will continue to monitor the situation and review if it changes.
  • Many respondents have raised concerns over the noise that will be generated by new speed humps as vehicles decelerate and accelerate between speed humps. The proposed speed humps have a gentle slope and are designed to lead the vehicles in to the hump in a smoother motion. They are also spaced to minimise the acceleration between the humps. Vehicles will be warned in advance of the humps and should slow down gradually to use the hump and in turn navigate the bend at a safe speed.
  • Respondent requests for the installation of speed cameras as a means of speed calming and punishing dangerous drivers. The respondent believes that speed humps are unfair to local residents as it will negatively impact them due to wear and tear on vehicles and increased noise. The police in conjunction with the New Zealand Transport Agency’s (NZTA) Safety Team and an independent transportation consultant, have a methodology for choosing sites which are suitable for speed/safety cameras. Generally, safety cameras are placed in areas where there is a problem with excessive speed and there is a proven crash risk or research shows a history of crashes causing death and/or serious injuries. Considering the crash history and the speed counts available, it is unlikely that this street would be a suitable candidate for a safety camera.
  • Respondent has raised concerns raised over the removal of on street parking due to the installation of speed humps. Removal of on street parking is not proposed as part of this project.
  • Respondents feel that speed calming measures are unnecessary on Mountain View Road as there have been very few accidents. They have requested more evidence to support the proposed changes. This corner on Mountain View Road was brought to our attention by local residents following two serious incidents occurring within a 3 month period last year (June 2017). In response we investigated Mountain View Road and found that there have been seven reported crashes over a five year period. Five of those crashes (which include the two raised by the customers), were in the vicinity of the bend and close to their properties. A number of the crashes were a result of drivers losing control in which speed was a contributing factor.
  • Respondent has requested for the footpaths to be re-laid on both sides of Mountain View Road as they are currently in poor condition. Thanks for raising this concern. This is not within the scope of this project however this information will has been passed on to the relevant team and an investigation will be carried out.
  • Respondent believes that the camber next to the refuge island is difficult to navigate and causing cars to drive on the wrong side of the road. The refuge islands at the Bannerman Rd intersection help to slow vehicles travelling northbound (downhill) on Mountain View Rd. The illegal manoeuvre of driving on the opposite side of the road to avoid slowing down is something we will monitor and review. If we do find this occurs frequently we will report this behaviour at our Police Liaison meeting for them to act upon.
  • Many respondents have argued that Mountain View Road has become a through road for commuters trying to access Grey Lynn and the motorway. Many respondents believe that the issue of speeding is greater than originally perceived by Auckland Transport and speed calming is needed along the entire length for the safety of the local residents. In July 2018, we will introduce a new programme of works to reduce speed and increase safety on our residential roads. The new Residential Speed Management programme will look at how traffic calming changes on one street might affect the surrounding network of roads. Our aim is to develop traffic calming measures that support drivers to travel at speeds that are appropriate for each street or location.
    We are unable to investigate and respond to this individual request, but we have added these comments to our database to indicate support for safer speeds in this residential area. We will use different criteria to prioritise which locations to address first, including safety risks, traffic speed, land use and concerns raised by residents and their representatives, such as Local Boards. Further information about our new programme, including the residential areas selected for further investigation, will be available on the our website from July 2018.
  • Respondents are concerned that the roundabout at the intersection of Western Springs Road and Mountain View Road is insufficient as vehicles are driving straight over the top of it. They believe that this results in vehicles entering Mountain View at higher speeds. Thank you for raising this concern. This is not within the scope of this project however we will monitor this intersection and review if speeding is an issue.
  • Request for Broken Yellow Lines between the proposed speed humps. Respondent claims that the road is too narrow for traffic and that it is common for wing mirrors to be smashed. Road width measures approximately 10.0m which is wide enough to accommodate on street parking and for a vehicle to pass. Where the road is narrower on the bend, existing parking restrictions have been installed to allow vehicles to navigate the bend safely.
    Also the on street parking helps to narrow the road which aids in slowing vehicles down.

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 48-hour notices to all affected residents prior to construction work.