Richardson Road, Mount Roskill – Pedestrian Safety Improvements Richardson Road, Mount Roskill – Pedestrian Safety Improvements
Proposal status: Closed
Reference number: 20100044
Proposal outcome
In July 2023, we proposed changes to improve pedestrian safety along Richardson Road in Mount Roskill, as part of the region-wide pedestrian improvements programme. After reviewing all the feedback we received, we are proceeding with the following minor changes:
- New zebra crossing on McKinnon Street and 4 bollards on the footpath outside set of shops to stop vehicles driving on the footpath. This will require removal of one tree outside the shops and pruning of another tree.
Download the updated drawing (PDF 1.2MB)
These works will help support Tāmaki Makaurau’s commitment to the Vision Zero goal.
This proposal is funded by the Auckland regional fuel tax.
What happens next
We anticipate the changes will be constructed between 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. 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. A summary of your feedback and our responses to community questions is below.
Flooding
Concerned with flooding issues at the current crossing. The crossing floods during normal heavy rain, and during the severe weather events this year, the crossing was completely underwater with only the very top of the current signage visible.
Our response: The existing flooding at the crossing is due to an overland flow path which requires extensive stormwater upgrades. We are unable to resolve this issue within the scope of our project which focusses on improving pedestrian safety outside the schools. There is however, a storm water upgrade works planned for Richardson Road by Kainga Ora Development which may hopefully resolve the existing flooding in the area.
A stormwater assessment was undertaken, and we have ensured that the proposed works will not negatively impact the existing flooding situation.
Cyclist Safety
Suggestion for a crossing directly outside Waikowhai Intermediate with a raised island on the kerbside on the western side of the road. When combining a raised island with central speed bumps you are effectively creating a single lane width pinch point. The existing design for daily bike riders is already bad enough. The current proposal will make the lane narrower.
Our response: Cyclists are currently sharing the road with general traffic along this section of Richardson Road.
The proposal will maintain approximately 1.1m clearance between proposed speed bumps and approximately 1.2 metres between speed bumps and new side islands and footpath kerb. There are no changes proposed for the existing traffic islands by the zebra crossing. The proposed clearance will allow the cyclists to ride on the road through the gaps between the speed bumps or between speed bumps and the kerb.
In addition, the proposal is expected to reduce speeds adjacent to the crossing and will assist cyclists to share road with general traffic.
Parking
Concern that the proposed crossing will affect the existing parking. Nearly 4 houses use this location to park cars especially as it is the only street parking available in the area (opposite side of broken yellow line).
Our response: The proposed removal of on-street parking is essential to enable adequate visibility between oncoming traffic and the pedestrians using the crossing to provide a safer crossing facility.
Our investigation has found that parking demand in the area is low. We acknowledge that there will be some parking loss and we have reviewed the design to minimise the loss of parking spaces.
We're proposing improvements in your area
We are proposing to improve pedestrian safety along Richardson Road. The proposed changes would reduce speeds and provide safer crossing facilities for pedestrians, especially students who access the nearby schools.
The proposed changes include:
- The new raised crossing would have gentle ramps to minimise disruption to traffic while also providing a safe crossing facility near the entrance to Keith Hay Park.
- A flat, wide speed bump outside 653 Richardson Road to slow down vehicles.
- Two sets of asphalt speed cushions on either side of the existing pedestrian crossing outside Waikowhai Intermediate School would slow down vehicles surrounding the crossing. We’ve proposed speed cushions rather than raising the crossing as a raised crossing at this location could flood easily. The spacing between the cushions would also allow buses and emergency vehicles to easily pass through.
Download the proposal drawing for Richardson Road (PDF 1.5MB)
The proposal aims to reduce the speed of motorists, prioritise the safety of pedestrians crossing the road, and improve walking connections to local amenities.
A new raised crossing near the entrance to Keith Hay Park would also:
- Raise pedestrians, especially children, crossing the road to be at eye-level of approaching motorists, making them easier to see from a distance.
- Make it easy for motorists to see people waiting to cross the road.
- Make it more comfortable for people with prams and wheelchairs to cross the road as the crossing would be level with the footpath.
What happens next
- We’ll consider 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.
Mount Roskill: 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 Richardson 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).