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Webber Street, Westmere - Broken yellow lines Webber Street, Westmere - Broken yellow lines

Proposal status: Last updated 23 March 2021.

Reference number: BYL-488

Proposal outcome

In February 2021, we proposed changes to improve access on Webber Street in Westmere. 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 changes will be implemented in May/June 2021.

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.

Parking

  • Multiple mentions that as construction work has now finished there is no problem with parking on this street. Mentions there was previously a problem with construction workers parking on the street.
    We received a petition from residents in this section of Webber Street asking for broken yellow lines to be installed. We also received complaints from waste operators regarding access issues when vehicles park opposite each other on the street. While the initial reason for the complaint may not be as prominent, the same access issues would occur if two vehicles park opposite each other.
  • Respondent mentions they have never had issues and have lived on Webber Street for over 25 years.
    The complaints we received suggests that this view is not shared by all residents.
  • Concern that most houses have off-street parking and that safety should be priority.
    The proposed broken yellow lines layout minimises parking loss while providing a chicane style traffic calming measure to keep vehicle speeds low. The road is too narrow to allow parking on both sides without causing access issues.
  • Concerns the proposal removes too much parking and that Webber Street offers limited off-street parking for residents and their guests already.
    It is each resident's responsibility to ensure their property has enough parking to meet their parking needs and while the majority of the properties have off-street parking any on-street parking is available on a first come, first served basis.
  • Concern removing parking will cause conflict with limited parking spaces. Mentions that most of the on-street parking will be outside their property and that some of the apartments have more than one vehicle per apartment.
    It is evident that the demand for on-street parking exceeds the number of legal parking spaces. There are approximately 24 parking spaces (spaces are measured as 6 metres (or 5.5 metres if at the end) to allow for manoeuvring) and we have recorded 36 vehicles on this section of Webber Street. This proposal removes 6 legal parking spaces, although considerably more vehicles use these spaces as they often park close together or encroach on vehicle entrances.
    Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide additional parking (this is seen as secondary to the main purpose of a road which is to provide access to properties), and it is the access issue which we are seeking to resolve.
  • Mentions the demand for parking will increase with development in the area due to the areas zoning.
    There are good transport links close by. It is each resident's responsibility to ensure their property has enough parking to meet their parking needs and due diligence should be completed before purchasing or renting a property. Auckland Transport always advises against relying on on-street parking as this can be subject to change should objectives for the road change.
  • Suggestion for the broken yellow lines to be installed after 25 and 29 Webber Street have their own off-street parking.
    This proposal aims to improve access issues. We received a petition from residents in this section of Webber Street asking for broken yellow lines to be installed. We also received complaints from waste operators regarding access issues when vehicles park opposite each other on this street. We anticipate the broken yellow lines will be installed in May or June this year. Auckland Transport always advises against relying on on-street parking as this can be subject to change should objectives for the road change. This proposal will not adversely affect any vehicle crossing request.

Arrangement of broken yellow lines

  • Suggestion for the broken yellow lines to be set out in the same configuration as Livingstone Street. Mentions this will reduce the number of chicanes created by the proposal. Mentions that on surrounding roads chicanes cause driver confusion and give-way issues and can cause some drivers to speed up and drive recklessly.
    The proposed staggered broken yellow lines arrangement minimises parking loss whilst providing a horizontal speed calming measure (chicane-style) which will assist in reducing speeds. This was done on Regina Street and Kingsley Street further increasing the safety of residents and public on the two streets.
    Removing parking only from one side of the road may result in increased vehicle speeds as, from a drivers point of view, there would be a straight stretch of road ahead of them. With a staggered parking arrangement, motorists are forced to give way to each other. This parking arrangement will also ensure that pinch points are created at intervals on the road to reduce vehicles speeds, especially with opposing traffic.
  • Suggestion for broken yellow lines painted only down one side of the road.
    Painting broken yellow lines on only one side of the road will not gain any more parking spaces and may result in higher vehicle speeds. There are currently 24 legal parking spaces (13 on one side and 11 on the other). This proposal retains 18 spaces while maintaining a safe operating environment.

Development in the area

  • Concern with new town houses/units being built and there not being enough parking on the already narrow road.
    Auckland Transport has no control over the consenting of new developments and our priority in this situation is to ensure that Webber Street functions in a safe and sustainable way.
  • Suggestion to make the streets in the immediate area a one-way ring to improve safety and parking.
    This idea has previously been discussed and not progressed as one-ways systems were not justified due to the likelihood of increased vehicles speeds.

Other feedback

  • Suggestion for residential parking only as some people park on the street and work in Grey Lynn.
    Residential parking zones are proposed where people parking all day take up the majority of the parking spaces, this is not the case here. As the majority of vehicles on this street belong to residents, introducing permits is not warranted at this stage.

We're proposing improvements in your area

Aucklanders have told us that moving around our city safely and easily is important to them. We are proposing some improvements to your area. Residents have asked us to address the issue of cars parking on both sides of this narrow street blocking access. We are proposing to paint broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) along Webber Street and are asking for your views.

The changes we are proposing: 

  • Paint broken yellow lines on alternate sides of Webber Street between Regina Street and Kingsley Street. This will remove approximately 6 on-street parking spaces.

Download the proposal drawing for Webber Street (PDF 205KB)

Auckland Transport would like to work with you to deliver safer roads in your neighbourhood. We know that it is difficult for residents and large vehicles to access this narrow street. We consider a street to be narrow if the road is less than 6.8 metres wide. At a minimum, this width allows two metres worth of parking on each side of the road while retaining a 2.8 metre through lane, which emergency services have confirmed is the minimum space required for their vehicles to have access. The addition of broken yellow lines will improve access for all vehicles including waste collection trucks and emergency services vehicles. To reduce the impact of parking loss for residents and to slow driver speeds, we have proposed the broken yellow lines on alternate sides of the street. We understand removing parking can be inconvenient and have minimised the number of parking spaces removed while also providing clear access.

Westmere: 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 Webber 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).