Oliver Road and Bucklands Beach Road, Bucklands Beach - Raised zebra crossings Oliver Road and Bucklands Beach Road, Bucklands Beach - Raised zebra crossings
Proposal status: Feedback open until 9 April 2021
Reference number: MIP2021-023
Proposal update
In March 2021 we invited community feedback on our proposal to improve pedestrian access and safety near the roundabout at the intersection of Bucklands Beach Road, Oliver Road and Macleans Road. These raised zebra crossings are going ahead, but we are writing to let you know about changes to the design.
As part of this project, we are now also planning to upgrade the bus stop markings on Bucklands Beach Road.
This will involve:
- Repainting the bus stop road markings at Stop 6160 outside 216BucklandsBeach Road and Stop 6157 at 203 Bucklands Beach Road.
- Painting broken yellow lines (no stoppingat all times) parking restrictions at each of these bus stops to allow buses to safely pull out of the stop and back on to the road. These restrictions will extend 15 metres to the northwest of Stop 6160, and 9 metres to the northwest of stop 6157. This will result in the loss of two parking spaces.
Download updated proposal drawing (PDF 772KB)
Next steps
This project now has a construction target of between July 2021 and June 2022. We will be in touch with local residents and business prior to any construction taking place.
Proposal outcome
In March 2021, we proposed changes to improve pedestrian access and safety near the roundabout at the intersection of Bucklands Beach Road, Oliver Road and Macleans Road. 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 constructed between July 2021 and June 2022. We will be in touch with local residents and business prior to any construction taking place.
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.
- Requests for additional measures to slow vehicle travelling speeds at the intersection
We did consider the option of installing further traffic calming measures at the intersection. Our analysis and observations of the intersection were that the two proposed raised zebra crossing locations are where vehicles are entering and exiting the roundabout at the highest speeds. Both the southern Bucklands Beach Road leg and the Macleans Road legs of the intersection have signalised crossings slightly further away, directly outside the schools, so we feel the proposed crossing locations are where they are most neede
- Requests for speedbumps in the surrounding area, especially outside of the kindergarten on Oliver Rd.
To address traffic speeds in residential areas we have adopted an area-based focus for 2019 onwards. This programme focuses on areas that have been prioritised for changes based on several factors, including the number of crashes, safety risk, traffic speed, land use and concerns raised by local residents and their elected representatives. Based on these factors, this area has not been identified in the first group of areas within our Residential Speed Management programme as other areas in the region are experiencing higher speeds and safety risk. We have added your comments to our database to indicate support for safer speeds in your residential area. You can view our Residential Speed Management Programme page on our website for more information.
- Request to include a cycle lane at the intersection.
Separated cycle facilities only at the intersection would have a limited benefit due to the lack of upstream or downstream cycling connections. As part of this project to provide zebra crossings near the intersection we are unable to provide separated cycle facilities along the wider route as well. However, we do expect the raised crossings to slow vehicle speeds which will improve cyclist safety when travelling through the intersection.
- Suggestion to use widened kerbs on Bucklands Beach road to create a cross intersection and remove slip lanes.
As part of our investigation we did consider reshaping the roundabout. Due to the significant number of pedestrians, primarily school children, crossing the northern Bucklands Beach Road and Oliver Road legs of the intersection, it was decided that installing a raised zebra crossing to give pedestrians priority and slow vehicle speeds, at these two locations, would provide a greater benefit to road user safety.
- Request to install traffic signals in place of the existing roundabout at intersection.
Installing traffic signals is likely to increase queues and delays at this intersection. Traffic signals are also unlikely to reduce vehicle speeds through the intersection. Raised zebra crossings are an effective method of slowing vehicles and will provide greater benefits to pedestrian safety.
- Concern about cars overtaking buses at the bus stop near 216 Bucklands Beach Rd.
The existing lane width is sufficient for cars to be able to pass a bus that has stopped to pick up passengers without crossing the centreline.
- Request to install a "NO THRU TO BEACH" sign on Oliver Rd.
There is an existing sign on the corner of Oliver Road stating “No access to beach”.
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.
Local residents have asked us to improve the safety of people walking, in particular school students, near the roundabout at the intersection of Bucklands Beach Road, Oliver Road and Macleans Road. We are proposing to upgrade the existing kerb ramp crossings on Oliver Road and Bucklands Beach Road to raised zebra crossings and we are asking for your view.
The changes we are proposing:
- Upgrade the existing kerb ramp crossing outside 211 Bucklands Beach Road to a zebra crossing on a Swedish-style raised table. A Swedish-style raised table has one ramp and a more gentle exit which gives a smoother ride for drivers and passengers.
- Upgrade the existing kerb ramp crossing outside 2 Oliver Road to a zebra crossing that is raised to a platform level with the footpath.
- Install side islands on both crossings to reduce approaching driver speeds.
- Install tactile pavers, which are yellow guidance paving markers, to help visually impaired people to find their way to the crossings and safely cross the road.
- Add orange reflective discs to help make crossings more visible to drivers.
- Reconstruct the footpaths at both locations.
- Reinstate the grass berms (grass strip next to the road) around both crossings.
- Add planted beds in the centre island of the Bucklands Beach Road crossing.
- Add new road marking and signage.
Auckland Transport would like to work with you to deliver safer roads in your neighbourhood. We have received requests from the community to provide safer pedestrian facilities by the roundabout at the intersection of Bucklands Beach Road, Oliver Road and Macleans Road.
Our investigations have shown that many students from nearby schools cross at these two locations. We have found that occasionally drivers exit the roundabout and approach these crossings at speed. Confusion also occurs between people crossing and drivers, with some drivers giving way and other not. At times on Bucklands Beach Road students in particular have to wait in the central island which is not large enough to accommodate the numbers. Some students are pushed towards the traffic lane.
Safety around schools is important to us and by making these changes we aim to slow the speed of approaching drivers and provide safe crossing facilities. The changes will prioritise people at the crossing and improve safety for everyone using this road.
This proposal is supported by the Auckland regional fuel tax.
Download the proposal drawing for Oliver Road and Bucklands Beach Road (PDF 992KB)
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 listen to all the feedback we receive, and then decide the best way to move forward.
- Auckland Council has implemented an Emergency Budget which has reduced AT’s capital and operating budgets. We are seeking feedback now so that we can be prepared once the funding for this project is given the go ahead.
- 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.
Bucklands Beach: 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 Oliver Road and Bucklands Beach 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).