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Whitaker Place, Grafton – Parking restrictions Whitaker Place, Grafton – Parking restrictions

Proposal status: updated 14 May 2019

Reference number: RTV-215

We're making changes in your area

We proposed implementing No stopping at all times (broken yellow lines) parking restrictions on a segment of Whitaker Place in Grafton.  

Download the proposal drawing for Whitaker Place (PDF 236KB) 

Why the changes were needed

These changes were needed to improve visibility for vehicles using adjacent vehicle entrances. Parked cars are currently restricting visibility, as the road is quite narrow.

Proposal outcome

This project will proceed without changes to the next stage of detailed planning. Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback.

Feedback received

A summary of this feedback and answers to community questions and concerns:

  • This proposal received positive responses from community members and stakeholders who supported the installation of broken yellow lines on Whitaker Place in Auckland Central.
  • Concerns that the proposed broken yellow lines will further restrict parking opportunities for residents, visitors, contractors, service and furniture moving trucks (for people moving in/out of area).
    Broken yellow lines prohibit parking, so they can reduce parking opportunities when compared to what is currently available. Alternative options are available on Whitaker Place, though Auckland Transport does recognise that these are limited.
  • Concerns that the cost of parking will be increased as residents will be forced to park in expensive parking buildings and may have a higher frequency of car towing.
    It is often the case within Central Auckland that on-street parking is not available immediately outside where it is required and that a better option is within off-street car parks.
  • Concerns that the lack of parking will increase instances of illegal parking on footpath, and double parking.
    The lack of a convenient on-street parking space is not a justification to park illegally whether this be on a footpath, broken yellow lines or double parking. To undertake any of these requires a deliberate choice by the driver and is down to human behaviour.
  • Related requests for no broken yellow lines to be installed.
    AT considers the visibility issue to be addressed and that broken yellow lines road markings are appropriate.
  • Related requests for affordable alternative parking, in particular:
    • For scooter/motorbike parking (so they don’t take up car parks).
    • Long term resident only parking.
    • Short-term only parking for pick-ups and drop-offs etc.

On-street parking is by its definition limited to the amount of available kerb side space and Auckland Transport receives many justifiable requests for parking to be restricted to a particular use or class of vehicle. Inevitably any change is done so at the expense of another and the most that Auckland Transport can hope to achieve is to provide a balance of parking restrictions which meet the widest possible range of customers, while addressing safety issues. Auckland Transport is happy to consider specific requests should they be submitted.
With regard to long term resident only parking: Auckland Transport does not consider residential schemes within the Central City. Due to intensification we could not possibly hope to meet the demand while still providing short term parking. Auckland Transport feels that residents parking in the Central City is better provided off street.
The paid parking zone allows for 10 minutes free parking which Auckland Transport feels facilitates pick up and drop off activities. There also remains a P5 at the northerly end of Whitaker Place.
Auckland Transport has provided extensive motorcycle parking options on Symonds Street and motorcycles/scooters are permitted to park within the paid parking zone. Conversion to dedicated motorcycle parking would reduce car parks, so it is more effective use of the limited space if scooters use the existing parking zone.

  • Concerns that the current footpath is too narrow, steep and in disrepair, causing pedestrians and e-scooter users to not use the footpath. Related request to make footpath wider, as there would be more room for a wider footpath without on-street parking.
    There is little that Auckland Transport can do regarding the gradient of this section of Whitaker Place and while being narrow is an acceptable condition.
    With regard to increasing the width of the footpath: this is something which could be considered if the parking is removed and we will suggest it to the team responsible for new footpaths.
  • Concerns that cars park for free long periods of time due to lack of signage, and that cars park illegally on existing broken yellow lines and in front of driveways/car park building exits. Related request that signs be installed identifying no parking zones, and that illegally parked vehicles be towed.
    Broken yellow lines are sufficient and duplicate signage is not required.
  • Concerns that with more space on the road cars will drive faster, decreasing safety for pedestrians.
    Due to the low level of traffic using this road, Auckland Transport considers the risk to be low. Related request for implementation of lower speed limit of 10 or 20km/h in the area and/or speed bumps instead of broken yellow lines. Whitaker Place is part of an Auckland Transport proposal for a speed limit reduction to 30kph which Auckland Transport considers to be a safe speed.
  • Concern the broken yellow lines have faded or will fade.
    Auckland Transport will address any instances where road markings have faded through its maintenance programme.
  • Concerns that the road has poor drainage, which causes flooding. 
    Auckland Transport is aware that flooding occurred in 2013, 2015 and 2018, related to blocked catch pits and roots blocking a stormwater main. The stormwater main has been placed on an annual root cutting schedule.
  • Concern road needs resurfacing. 
    Auckland Transport has checked the current resurfacing programme and Whitaker Place is not currently part of that programme.
  • Concerns that the proposal will exacerbate congestions issues at this location due to vehicles stopping more to wait for parks.
    Auckland Transport operates demand responsive parking within the city centre parking zone which seeks to achieve 85% parking occupancy so that there will usually be 1 in 7 spaces available which will minimise the levels of congestion caused by waiting vehicles.
  • Related concern that this would cause drivers to become impatient and drive dangerously.
    While drivers might become impatient in high parking demand areas with limited capacity, it is difficult to address this behaviour through parking design.
  • Concern that construction trucks are blocking the flow of traffic.
    Any congestion caused by construction traffic show be reported to Auckland Transport for investigation on a case by case basis.
  • Related request to restrict access of construction vehicles to business hours (9am to 4pm).
    This will be subject to the consent conditions and any query pertaining to this would need to be addressed to Auckland Council.
  • Concerns that parking space at start of road impedes traffic flow. Related request for that parking space to be moved further along the road.
    Auckland Transport has considered removal of the parking space at the start of the Whitaker Place but does not feel that its removal is warranted.
  • Queries regarding whether proposed broken yellow lines are needed. Some respondents stated they believe the road is not too narrow for on-street parking and that visibility is not an issue.
    It is Auckland Transport's view that visibility is compromised by parked vehicles on this section of Whitaker Place.

Next steps

This work will happen between June 2019 and December 2019, but we will let you know if there are further changes or delays. Our contractors will send notices to affected residents 48-hours prior to construction starting.