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Alexander Street, Cockle Bay – Roundabout and pedestrian safety Alexander Street, Cockle Bay – Roundabout and pedestrian safety

Proposal status: Feedback closed 9 April 2021. Last updated 12 May 2021

Reference number: MIP1819-021c

Proposal outcome

In March 2021, we proposed changes to improve road safety for pedestrians, and especially school children, on Alexander Street in Cockle Bay. After reviewing all the feedback, we are proceeding with a minor change. These works will help support our Vision Zero goal.

The proposal will proceed with the following minor changes:

  • We will be painting a flush median strip on the approaches to the roundabout.

Download the updated drawing for Alexander Street (PDF 1.4MB)

What happens next

We anticipate construction to take place between July 2021 and June 2022. We will be in touch with affected residents prior to any construction taking place.

Community feedback

Thank you for adding your voice to this proposal. Your local knowledge has helped us make this decision for your neighbourhood. A summary of your comments and queries, and our responses to them, is below.

  • Query about whether the roundabout can be driven over, and a suggestion that the roundabout be smaller.
    The roundabout has been designed so that it is large enough to encourage drivers to slow down as they approach the intersection. The roundabout can be driven over, similar to the roundabout at the intersection of Sandspit Road and Paparoa Road, but vehicles will have enough space to drive around the roundabout without needing to drive over it.
  • Suggestion that the kerbline outside of 66 Alexander is too large and will make it difficult for cars to manoeuvre around safely, and a suggestion that the alignment of Advene Road is too pronounced, which will make it hard to do a left turn onto Alexander Street, especially for buses.
    The kerbline outside 66 Alexander Street has been built out to help slow vehicles down on the approach to the roundabout. As part of the design process, we analysed how vehicles will turn and move through the roundabout. The analysis showed that vehicles will be able to safely manoeuvre with the built-out kerb and turn left onto Alexander Street from Advene Road. The roundabout will be low enough to be driven over if needed to ensure larger vehicles are able to safely manoeuvre as well.
  • Suggestion that a stop sign is needed on the Avoca Road entrance into the roundabout because the morning sun blinds drivers.
    Thank you for your advice and concern. The signage that will be installed will be the standard signage for roundabouts, including “give way” signs, to support the roundabout give way rules.

Road safety

  • Concerns that entering and exiting Avoca Road from Litten Road, and driving on Avoca Road and Advene Road, is dangerous as the road becomes too narrow with cars parked on both sides of the street.
    While parked vehicles may reduce the traffic flow to a single lane at times, there are a number of points where vehicles can pass by using the clear space near driveways. Parked vehicles can also make the road appear narrow to drivers and this can encourage slower speeds, making the roads safer.
  • Suggestion that the area is evaluated with site monitoring so AT’s data reflects current road use.
    Auckland Transport routinely carries out site monitoring of traffic speeds and volumes on various roads across the region. Both site traffic monitoring and a pedestrian survey were undertaken at this intersection prior to the design of this proposal.

Broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times lines)

  • Suggestion that the proposed broken yellow lines should be extended further near the intersection and another suggestion that the proposed broken yellow lines should be reduced on all roads leading into the intersection
    Auckland Transport tries to minimise parking removal in its projects while ensuring good visibility for all road users. The broken yellow lines in this proposal were designed to provide sufficient sight distance for pedestrians and drivers.
  • Suggestion that AT should trial broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) on Alexander Street between Trelawn Place and Avoca Road as the main safety concern is children and parents walking out between cars near the walkway at 72 Alexander Street.
    Removing parking along this section of Alexander Street will create a more open road environment for drivers, which often leads to increased driving speeds. The parking restrictions near the roundabout are being proposed to ensure that people at the crossings and people driving through the roundabout can see each other. Our Community Transport team will continue to work with Cockle Bay School to help with safety around the school and we will continue to monitor the safety of schoolchildren crossing near the walkway to determine if further changes are needed.

Pedestrian safety in the wider neighbourhood

  • Multiple suggestions to install pedestrian refuge islands on Avoca Road and Advene Road so students and pedestrians can stop halfway when crossing these roads.
    Unfortunately there is not enough space at this intersection to install refuge islands. With the addition of the roundabout we expect that the reduced speed of vehicles will make it easier and safer for all pedestrians to cross.
  • Suggestion the local school provides people to assist children crossing the road.
    Our Community Transport team will continue to work with Cockle Bay School to help improve safety around the school and promote safe journeys to school.
  • Suggestion to install a roundabout on Sandspit Road where it intersects with Meadowland Drive and Lastel Place because of the large volume of cars and school children using the intersection at school times.
    Thank you for your suggestion. We have reviewed the intersection of Sandspit Road, Lastel Place, and Meadowland Drive and found that the existing refuge island on Meadowland Drive and zebra crossing on Sandspit Road near the intersection have been designed to meet Auckland Transport’s safety standards and are currently operating safely. We will continue to monitor the operational and safety performance of the intersection to determine if improvements are required, but we will not be making any changes at this time.

We're proposing improvements in your area

The community has requested that pedestrian safety is improved at the intersection of Alexander Street, Avoca Road and Advene Road in Cockle Bay. We propose installing a roundabout to help reduce vehicle speeds through the intersection and improve safety for children walking to nearby schools.

The changes we are proposing:

  • Install a roundabout at the centre of the intersection.
  • Extend the footpath at the corners of Avoca Street and Advene Street to straighten the road alignment and reduce the distance for people crossing.
  • Construct crossing points at each corner, including yellow tactile pavers to help visually impaired people find their way to the safest place to cross the road.
  • Paint new road markings and install new Give Way signs at each corner.
  • Paint broken yellow lines around each corner to improve visibility at the roundabout. This will remove 5 parking spaces on Avoca Street, 7 on Alexander Street north, 4 on Advene Street and 4 on Alexander Street south, a total of 20 spaces.

Download the proposal drawing for Alexander Street (PDF 1.06MB)

In October 2018 we proposed to install pedestrian refuge islands and pram crossings at this location, but the community did not support the design. After working together and listening to community suggestions we now have an updated plan and propose installing a roundabout. The changes aim to slow vehicle speeds and create clear crossing places at each corner. This will make it easier and safer to cross the road for school children, people walking and on wheels, like mobility scooters.

Give your feedback for Alexander Street

If you would like to post in your feedback, download and print our feedback form template, fill in your details and send it freepost using the address details on the form.

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.

More information

Cockle Bay: 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 Alexander 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).