Selwyn Street, Onehunga - Pedestrian improvements Selwyn Street, Onehunga - Pedestrian improvements

Proposal status: Feedback closed 19 May 2020, last updated 3 September 2020.

Reference number: CSFMT1.10

Project Update

In April 2020 we advised you that COVID-19 had a significant impact on AT and the wider Auckland Council whānau, and that funding had been constrained so we were not able to estimate a construction date. Funding has now been secured for this project and construction is now planned to begin in November 2021. Contractors will issue 48-hour notices to all affected residents prior to construction work.

In May 2020, we proposed changes in your area

To improve pedestrian safety, the Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board and Auckland Transport proposed improving pedestrian facilities on 88 and 123 Selwyn Street. These changes include upgrading the existing Zebra Crossing and installing a new pedestrian island. The proposed changes aim to make it safer to cross the road and calm driving speeds.

This project is supported by the regional fuel tax fund.

Changes proposed on 88 Selwyn Street

Upgrade the existing Zebra Crossing to a raised table Zebra Crossing which will be level with the footpath. This aims to improve pedestrian safety by calming speeds.

Changes proposed on 123 Selwyn Street

Install a pedestrian island to make it safer to cross the road by breaking up the journey.
Create a new footpath to allow for easier access when crossing the road.
Install broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) in order to improve visibility for drivers and ensure the pedestrian island is kept clear at all times. This will involve removing 8 on street parking spaces but is necessary to ensure good visibility and safety.
Remove an existing tree during construction of these works however the tree will be reinstated upon completion

Download the proposal drawings:

Community Safety Fund

This proposal is part of the Community Safety Fund. Auckland Transport is partnered with the Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board to deliver this project, as part of more than 80 safety improvement projects across the Auckland region. The Community Safety Fund is a $20 million programme focused on addressing local road safety concerns raised by the community to local boards and ward councillors.

Selwyn Street, Onehunga: 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 Selwyn 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).

Proposal outcome

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on AT and the wider Auckland Council whanau. As a result, Auckland Council is implementing an Emergency Budget which will reduce AT’s capital and operating budgets. This could mean this project is delayed. We will be in touch with you when we know more about how this project will be impacted by the current budget constraints.

Once the budget is confirmed, the proposal will proceed without changes to the next stage of detailed planning before being constructed.

Thank you to everyone who responded to our proposal and gave us the chance to better understand your community and concerns. A summary of your feedback and our responses to community questions is below.

Feedback received

Many respondents supported the proposal noting that it will improve safety for people, especially school children, when crossing Selwyn Street.
Thank you for your feedback.

Location of pedestrian island crossing at 123 Selwyn Street

Multiple respondents expressed concerns that there is not enough pedestrian traffic to require a pedestrian island at this location or that the majority of people cross further south down the street.
The Local Board requested a new crossing facility on Selwyn Street between Trafalgar Street and Grey Street to improve pedestrian safety. There were limited locations as to where a crossing could be proposed on this section of Selwyn Street due to existing driveways and trees. The proposed site for the crossing was selected as it was the most optimal taking into account the site constraints. Providing a safe crossing will encourage pedestrians to cross at this location. The other suggested point at which people currently cross is relatively far from the location of the proposed pedestrian island crossing therefore, we anticipate that this crossing will be utilised once installed.
Multiple respondents suggested moving the crossing outside #123 to the intersection of Selwyn Street and Trafalgar Street. Respondents also requested speed calming measures and pedestrian improvements to this intersection as there is limited visibility and high speeds.
The intersection of Selwyn Street and Trafalgar Street has been identified as a high-risk intersection and has been added to our minor safety improvement programme. The minor safety programme involves the collation of all proposed sites before ranking the sites based on their safety and operational issues. There are a number of projects already awaiting prioritisation and delivery as part of this programme. Once funding has been provided each financial year, we progress with the projects that we are able to within the available resources and funding. Due to this process, we are unable to provide a timeframe for any proposed improvements. Therefore, we would not relocate the crossing to this location as there is a risk that any infrastructure installed here now will be redundant in the near future.
Multiple respondents suggested moving the crossing further south on Selwyn Street as it is slightly higher than the rest of the road, increasing the visibility of traffic and allowing more visibility of cars descending the hill.
The proposed pedestrian island crossing location is considered safe in terms of visibility of oncoming traffic as safety sight distance requirements are met.

Parking

Multiple respondents raised concern over the loss of parking near 123 Selwyn Street as there is high parking demand due to the number of houses and flats in this area.
The removal of parking is necessary to ensure that pedestrians attempting to cross the road have clear sight lines of approaching vehicles. There is still parking available on Selwyn Street for residents. AT would also like to reiterate that residents should not rely on on-street parking to fulfil their parking needs as the strategic objectives for individual streets are subject to change and might not always meet an individual’s needs.
Respondent expressed concern about reinstating the berm near 123 Selwyn crossing, as this is used by nearby properties.
This vehicle crossing has no record of being legally consented, therefore we will progress with its removal. Please note that access to this private lawn area can still be achieved using the properties main vehicle access.
Respondents request to extend the broken yellow lines further around the 123 Selwyn Street crossing to improve visibility for pedestrians and improve safe access to properties.
The extent of new broken yellow lines is determined based on conservative design speed (a higher than typical speed a vehicle would be travelling along this section of road in order to calculate the required sight distance). We believe the extent of parking removal will be sufficient to allow adequate visibility of approaching drivers for people crossing.

Safety

Respondent raised concern about the safety of the pedestrian island crossing at 123 Selwyn Street as vehicles will not be required to stop.
Pedestrian island crossings are an approved type of crossing facility that are highly utilised across the Auckland road network. The appropriate parking restrictions and infrastructure have been proposed to create a safe crossing. The pedestrian island crossing will make it safer to cross the road by breaking up the journey. Please note that pedestrians are expected to give way to vehicles when attempting to cross the road when utilising pedestrian island crossings.
Respondent expressed concern that vehicles do not stop for pedestrians at the zebra crossing at 88 Selwyn Street.
The proposed raised table zebra crossing will help reduce vehicle speeds and increase driver's awareness of pedestrians crossing the road.
Respondent raised concern that the pedestrian island crossing at #123 is too close to the Trafalgar intersection where vehicles drive fast.
Our proposal is based on conservative design speed along this section of Selwyn Street. The pedestrian island can help in reducing vehicle speeds as it briefly narrows the road at the crossing. We will continue to monitor the performance of this crossing after implementation and ensure that it is safe.
Respondent expressed concern that it might be difficult for pedestrians using the pedestrian island crossing at #123 Selwyn Street to see cars travelling down the hill.
As part of our design we undertake safe sight distance checks to ensure that pedestrians have clear and unhindered visibility of cars approaching the crossing and vice versa. The proposed parking removal is sufficient to ensure clear visibility is maintained.
Respondent raised concern that cars are speeding down this street, especially in the morning.
The proposed raised zebra crossing and pedestrian island will help reduce vehicle speeds. However, should you notice common trends, such as speeding during certain times of the day or individual vehicles, you may want to contact the Police with further details so they can carry out targeted enforcement.
Respondent expressed concern that the proposed speed calming measures are not sufficient for the dangers on this road and that the raised zebra crossing at 88 Selwyn Street will only temporarily calm speeds.
We will continue to monitor the speeds along Selwyn Street following the installation of the new crossing facilities. If further interventions are required, we will consider additional traffic calming features in the future.
Multiple respondents suggested additional speed calming measures such as traffic lights, speed bumps or a roundabout, specifically at the intersection of Arthur Street and Selwyn Street as this area has high incidents and crashes.
The intersection of Arthur Street and Selwyn Street has been identified as a high-risk intersection and has been added to our minor safety improvement programme. This programme involves the collation of all proposed sites before ranking the sites based on their safety and operational issues. There are a number of projects already awaiting prioritisation and delivery as part of this programme. Once funding has been provided each financial year, we progress with the projects that we are able to within the available resources and funding. Due to this process, we are unable to provide a timeframe for any proposed improvements.
Respondent requests chicane islands, similar to what is found in Selwyn Street north of Trafalgar Street.
The focus of this proposal is to provide safe crossing points along this section of Selwyn Street. We are currently working to a plan to reduce speeds on Auckland’s roads. It targets areas prioritised by the level of safety risk and aims to reduce the incidence and impact of crashes. The initial roll out of speed reduction focuses on approximately 10% of our road network, including residential areas. It recognises that traffic-calming changes on one street have a flow-on effect on the surrounding neighbourhood. The plan will support drivers to travel at the appropriate speed and to the road conditions.
Prioritisation and delivery are based on several factors, including the number of crashes, safety risk, traffic speed, land use and concerns raised by local residents and their elected representatives.
While we do appreciate your concerns, Selwyn Street has not been identified in the first group of areas within our Residential Speed Management programme as other areas in the region are experiencing higher speeds and safety risk. More information, including the residential areas that will be prioritised for further investigation can be viewed on the Residential Speed Management Programme page on our website.
Respondent requested to keep the pedestrian island on the raised zebra crossing at 88 Selwyn Street.
The proposed kerb extension and the raised nature of the crossing will provide a reduction in the crossing distance and will allow pedestrians to be easily seen by oncoming traffic. This creates a safer environment for pedestrians when crossing the road.

Speed calming measures

Multiple respondents suggested changing the crossing at 123 Selwyn Street to a raised zebra crossing, this will remove the necessity for the broken yellow lines, keep the on-street parking and give priority to people crossing.
The funding allocated to this project can only accommodate an informal type of crossing at this location. There have also been no pedestrian related crashes within this location in the last 5 years. Therefore, the additional investment would not be justified. Please note a raised zebra crossing will still require parking restrictions in order to maintain safe sight distances.
Respondent raised concern about the safety of raised tables where drivers approaching the raised table at speeds might lose control momentarily and this could result in crashes, damage to nearby parked cars, or endanger pedestrians.
Warning signs and road markings are proposed to ensure drivers are well notified in advance that they are approaching a raised zebra crossing in order to adjust speeds appropriately.
Respondent suggested a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights at 123 Selwyn Street, similar to the crossing on Campbell Road, Royal Oak.
A signalised crossing on Selwyn Street will be out of context with the surrounding environment and it is not required with the current pedestrian demand. However, the crossing will be monitored after construction and appropriate adjustments will be made where necessary.
Respondent requested making the corners of Selwyn Street and Grey Street sharper as the current layout allows vehicles to turn into Grey Street without needing to reduce much speed.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate this request as part of this project. However, your request will be passed on to the relevant team to investigate further.