Skip to main content

West End Road, Westmere - Pedestrian improvements with bus stop changes West End Road, Westmere - Pedestrian improvements with bus stop changes

Proposal status: Feedback closed

Reference number: CSFWA1.6

Proposal update

We advised you in June 2022 that these works were scheduled to be constructed between July 2022 and June 2023. We can now provide a more specific construction start date of February 2023.

Proposal update 

We are now proposing a revised design at a new location slightly further east, as requested by the community. Read more about the revised design. 

Proposal outcome

In May 2020, we proposed changes to improve pedestrian safety at West End Road, Westmere. We have listened to community feedback and have decided that this proposal will not proceed to the next stage of detailed planning.

Although the neighbourhood has expressed support for the need of a safe pedestrian crossing facility, concerns were made regarding the proposed location. Feedback suggested that the crossing at the proposed location will not be used as the majority of people would prefer to cross closer to the existing pedestrian island crossing. We have taken this feedback into consideration and have reviewed the crossing location and agree that there may be a better location in regard to accessibility and safety.

In the future, we will investigate a new design which will take into account all feedback received from this proposal. When a new proposal is designed, we will consult with the community again.

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.

The majority of community feedback was in support for a safe pedestrian crossing facility however, there were concerns with the proposed location.

Speeding concerns

  • Request for speed calming measures at the end of Fife Street (by the Tennis Club) to slow driver speeds.
    To address traffic speeds in residential areas we have adopted an area-based focus. This recognises that traffic-calming changes on one street have a flow-on effect on the surrounding neighbourhood. This plan will support all drivers to travel at the appropriate speed and to the road conditions. When we say, "speed calming", we mean engineering measures that encourage lower speeds, which may include speed bumps and road markings. There have been no reported crashes within in this area in the last 5 years. Based on the overall results of our assessment, we are unable to justify prioritising Fife Street for any immediate changes. We are dealing with other areas first because they have higher speeds and safety risks. However, we have recorded this location on our database for future use. Read more information, including the residential areas that will be prioritised for further investigation within our Residential Speed Management programme.

Crossing location

  • Concerns that people will not use the new crossing due to its location and that the proposed crossing location will make it difficult for cars turning on to West End Road from Fife Street. Multiple suggestions to move the crossing location to where the current island crossing is as it is closer to Cox's Bay Reserve.
    We have taken this feedback into consideration and have reviewed the crossing location and agree that there may be a better location in regard to accessibility and safety. When designing any future proposal, we will take into account all of the feedback we have received from this proposal.

Bus stop locations

  • Suggestion to move the bus stops closer to the crossing as there is concern that children will not use the crossing due to its distance from the bus stops.
    We will keep this in mind when designing a future proposal as we are aware of the necessity to maintain close proximity between bus stops and pedestrian crossing facilities.
  • Suggestion to create a bus bay so it is easier for cars to pass.
    We will take this suggestion into consideration when designing a future proposal.

Other feedback

  • Request for rubbish bins to be installed by the bus shelters.
    We will take this request into account when designing a future proposal.
  • Respondent mentions that there is no problem crossing the road currently and the project will be a waste of money.
    Although we will not be proceeding with the proposal, we believe that a safe crossing facility for pedestrians of all ages and abilities is needed on this section of West End Road. We also have received multiple requests from the public for a safe crossing.
  • Suggestion for the crossing to be well lit at night.
    We will ensure that there will be sufficient lighting when designing a future proposal.
  • Concern for the safety associated with the zebra crossing outside 193 Garnet Road as there have been serious accidents.
    Auckland Transport is currently looking at older existing zebra crossings and upgrading them by adding a raised table to help address vehicle speeds at these types of crossing facilities. We are working on these improvements and will be adding this crossing to our database for consideration in the near future.
  • Suggestion for a cycleway on West End Road.
    We consider a safe, efficient and enjoyable journey for cyclists to be essential for our city and our road network. Promoting and encouraging alternative forms of transport such as walking and cycling is high on our priorities and ensuring a safe journey for all commuters is important to us. We will pass on your suggestion to our network planning team to be investigated further.

We're proposing changes in your area

Waitematā Local Board and Auckland Transport are proposing to install a new raised zebra crossing and relocate existing bus stops on West End Road, Westmere. This proposal responds to requests from the Waitematā Local Board to improve crossing facilities for people in the area. The new zebra crossing is expected to improve road safety for people walking in the area by slowing approaching traffic and prioritising people.

Auckland Transport, local boards and ward councillors are working together to tackle local road safety concerns.

This project is supported by the regional fuel tax fund.

Changes proposed on West End Road

  • Install a new zebra crossing raised to a platform level with the footpath outside 71 West End Road. This aims to slow driver speeds near the crossing. We recommend this place for the new crossing because it is the safest and most convenient point for people to cross.
  • Install a new pedestrian island which is a raised platform in the middle of a road that makes it safer to cross a road by breaking up the journey.
  • Install tactile pavers which are yellow guidance paving markers to help visually impaired people to find their way to the crossing and safely cross the road.
  • Extend the kerb out on each side of the new zebra crossing. This will make it safer for pedestrians by reducing the distance they need to walk on the road.
  • Install new road markings and signage to improve visibility of the crossing to approaching drivers.
  • Reconstruct the footpath to provide people with safe access to the crossing.
  • Relocate 2 existing bus stops (outside 73 & opposite 71 West End Road) with new road markings and signage to improve links to the new crossing.
  • Extend the broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) on both sides of the crossing to help make it easier to see and to slow vehicle speeds. This will remove a total of six car parking spaces.

Download the proposal drawing for West End Road (PDF 1MB)

Community Safety Fund

The Community Safety Programme is focused on tackling road safety concerns. This programme is dependent on the level of funding AT receives from Auckland Council. Unfortunately this year, funding has been constrained due to the impact of Covid-19. Planning and design will continue but currently many projects cannot be delivered in the 2020/2021 financial year.

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 West End 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).