​East Tamaki - Intersection improvements​ ​East Tamaki - Intersection improvements​

Proposal status: closed 11 September 2018

Reference number: NOP1718-047

We're proposing changes in your area

We are proposing to introduce a number of changes aimed at improving traffic operations along Sir William Avenue, Smales Road, Crooks Road, Harris Road, Allens Road, and Blackburn Road in East Tamaki. Changes will include: 

• Extension of double lane road markings on Allens Road from Zelanian Drive to the intersection with Springs/Harris/Smales Roads; and implementation of a peak hour clearway along the northern side of Allens Road that applies 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday.
• New broken yellow lines along Crooks Road including parking removal, and removal of the existing traffic side island.
• New broken yellow lines around the intersection of Sir William Ave and Smales Road.
• New broken yellow lines outside 2 Allens Road and around Allens Road/Zelanian Drive intersection.

Download the proposal drawing for ​East Tamaki intersection improvements​ (PDF 3.7MB)

Why the changes are needed

These proposed changes are expected to improve traffic operations and capacity along this network of roads, particularly during peak hours. Specific improvements include:

Proposal outcome

This project will proceed without changes to the next stage of detailed planning. A summary of the community feedback we received and answers to questions and concerns is below.

Feedback received

• Suggestion that we install Broken yellow lines both sides of the road, closer to the entrance of Fisher & Paykel and also around the entrance of 9 Allens Road to improve traffic flow. Respondent highlights congestion issues when a vehicle needs to turn right at this location. The momentary vehicle queues caused on Allens Road by vehicles turning right into properties are considered a common occurrence along many other roads of this type in Auckland where a central median is not present. Hence, removal of parking is generally not undertaken to address temporary traffic conditions of this type. We believe that the proposed evening clearway restrictions on the northern side of Allens Road and the extension of the eastbound traffic lanes will be sufficient to improve the operational issues present at the intersection during the PM period. This will allow traffic to flow in a much more efficient and a safer way. The proposed Broken yellow lines on the southern side of Allens Road will improve the traffic flow at the Allens Road and Springs Road intersection during the AM peak period. Please refer to the plan for details. (PDF 3.7MB)
• Concerns that Broken yellow lines would have a limited effect, would be a waste of money and any impact on congestion would be minimal. We received alternative suggestions: such as a flyover intersections to achieve continuous traffic flow or to widen the roads instead. The proposal is not intended to eliminate the congestion but rather to improve the overall traffic operations and movements at the intersections as an interim solution. Our assessment indicated that parked cars on these roads during the peak hours of demand restricts traffic flow and constraints capacity at the intersection significantly. Removal of on street parking would improve both the operations of these roads and enhance the safety at these locations. We are not currently considering installing a flyover here, as it would not be economically justifiable due to the high cost involved with the installation. However, Smales Allens Road widening project is listed in the Regional Land Transport Plan 2018-2028 as a funded project.
• Request for the Smales Allens Road widening proposal to happen as soon as possible. Smales Allens Road widening project is listed in our Regional Land Transport Plan 2018-2028 as a funded project.
• Request for Broken yellow lines either side of property driveways at 61 Sir William Ave due to recurring issues of people parking over them and blocking access for trucks turning into and out of driveway, these vehicles then have to be moved in order for the trucks to access the property. Along with a concern that reduced parking available on the road will result in more vehicles and drivers parking illegally over said driveways. Parking within one metre of a vehicle entrance is illegal, this is clearly outlined in the New Zealand Road Code and all drivers should be fully aware of this. However, due to the continued road rule compliance challenges we face across the Auckland Region we now rarely use Broken yellow line markings across driveways for the benefit of manoeuvrability, except for in high use or emergency access situations, such as at fire stations and medical centres. As parking demand is high in the area we want to keep the loss of on-street parking to a minimum whilst still creating a safer and improved road environment. If you do see a vehicles parked within one metre of this vehicle crossing and blocking access please call us anytime on 09 355 3553 with the details of the vehicle.
• Suggestion to install Broken yellow lines at the intersection of Sir William Avenue where it continues right/left in a branch as a concern that vehicles which are pulling out of Sir William Avenue to continue left or right along the same road are at risk of crashes or impacts. We do not currently intend to install Broken yellow lines on this section of Sir William Avenue as this is an industrial area where the majority of the traffic is familiar with the area. Our investigations have indicated that the visibility lines are acceptable for this intersection. The lane width of 11.8 metres on Lady Ruby Drive and Sir William Avenue means there is also enough space for vehicles exiting the intersection to edge out slowly, assisting with their visibility. These are also low volume roads and there have been no reported crashes in the area during the last 5 years.
• Concern over current issues of cars being dumped and left on Sir William Avenue, and a concern that installing Broken yellow lines will simply move the problem further down the road. We have passed this onto our Parking Enforcement Team and made them aware of this situation. Meanwhile, if you notice a vehicle is parked on the road side illegally please call us anytime on 09 355 3553 with the details of the vehicle.
• Suggestion that bus routes/links should be improved instead of the proposed parking removal. In particular, the links between Howick and Harris Road which currently can take up to an hour and this in turn would reduce congestion issues. We have passed your concerns and comments about the bus network and the areas you feel should be upgraded and investigated onto At Metro for further investigation. We believe that these changes will effectively improve the traffic operations here, and will work well as an interim solution before our road widening project which is part of the Regional Land Transport Plan.
• Queries regarding the proposed parking removal on Crooks Road, where we expect people who work in the area to park and concerns that we are restricting too much parking and cause employees to park much further away from their workplaces. We appreciate the value of on street parking and aim to only remove it where it poses a safety risk, thereby keeping the loss to a minimum. We feel that the parking removal proposed will have a low negative effect to the community and businesses relative to the improvement it will have on the operations and safety of these roads. A total of 4 legal on street parks will be removed a result of these parking restrictions, although the length of the proposed Broken yellow lines on the drawing may appear to be removing more it’s worth noting that parking within 1 metre of a driveway is illegal, as stated in the New Zealand Road Code.
• Request for the removal of the 3 traffic islands on Crooks Road, with plants this is due to a lack of maintenance and over-grown shrubs getting into road & drainage. Suggestion to then install 3 metres of Broken yellow lines around the driveway of 44 Crocks Road in order to improve visibility and access from the driveway. In regards to the islands, they were initially installed as part of a local board beautification project in the area. As they are not causing any operational issues we wouldn’t recommend their removal however, the issues regarding growth on the island spilling onto the road and debris building up near the islands has been referred to our maintenance team. According to our records there has only been one reported crash caused by visibility related issues along this stretch of Crooks Road in the last 5 years indicating that the risk of this type of incident is low. While we accept that vehicles parked on the road can often be an inconvenience, there is a high parking demand in the area and the removal of parking along this section of Crooks Road is only likely to move these parked vehicles further along.

Next steps

This work will happen in between now and June 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.