Bayswater Avenue pedestrian and cycle crossing completed Bayswater Avenue pedestrian and cycle crossing completed
Proposal status: Feedback closed
Reference number: CSFD1.10
Project update
In December 2021, we completed this project in collaboration with the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board.
The new pedestrian and cycling crossing improves pedestrian and cyclist safety on Bayswater Avenue, in Bayswater.
Later in 2022, we will begin work on a cycleway along the length of Bayswater Avenue between Belmont and Marine Terrace, near the Bayswater Ferry Terminal.
Proposal update
In July 2020, Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and Auckland Transport invited community feedback on our proposal improve pedestrian and cyclist safety on Bayswater Avenue, in Bayswater. This project is going ahead, but we are providing an update on the finalised construction timeframe.
Next steps
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on AT and the wider Auckland Council whānau. As a result, Auckland Council implemented an Emergency Budget which reduced AT’s capital and operating budgets, and we were not able to estimate a construction date at the close of the consultation last year.
Funding has now been secured for this project and construction is now planned to begin in late November 2021. We will be in touch with local residents and businesses prior to any construction taking place.
In July 2020, we proposed changes in your area
To improve pedestrian and cyclist safety on Bayswater Avenue in Bayswater, Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and Auckland Transport proposed to upgrade the current crossing at 113 Bayswater Avenue. Our proposal aimed to slow speeds on Bayswater Avenue and better support active modes of transport.
This project is supported by the regional fuel tax fund.
Changes proposed on Bayswater Avenue
- Upgrade the current crossing to a raised zebra crossing to slow driver speeds on approach. This crossing will be raised to a platform level with the footpath.
- Add a cycle lane on the crossing to formalise crossing for cyclists.
- Add a pole with an orange reflective disc at either side of the crossing to ensure visibility at night.
- 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.
- Remark and add broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) to the existing bus stops to bring them up to safety standards. This will remove 5 on-street parking spaces.
- Add new road markings and road signs to alert drivers to the crossing.
- Build a new traffic island to shorten the crossing distance.
- Widen footpaths to provide a greater level of access for pedestrians and cyclists.
Download the proposal drawing for Bayswater Avenue (PDF 2.2KB)
Community Safety Fund
This proposal is part of the Community Safety Fund. Auckland Transport is partnered with the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board to deliver this project, as part of more than 80 safety improvement projects across the Auckland region. The Community Safety Fund is a $20 million programme focused on addressing local road safety concerns raised by the community to local boards and ward councillors.
Bayswater - 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 Bayswater Avenue 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).
Proposal outcome
Thank you to everyone who responded to our proposal and gave us the chance to better understand your community and concerns. We received a high amount of supportive feedback from the community regarding this proposal. A summary of your feedback and our responses to community questions is below.
Community feedback
Cycling
- Request for separated cycle lanes to be added on Bayswater Avenue, to the lights on Lake Rd and to the ferry, to support safe travel and a mode shift.
The installation of new cycle lanes along Bayswater Avenue falls outside the current scope of this project. However, the Devonport area has been identified as a focus area for cycling infrastructure upgrades in the coming future. As this is still in the early stages of investigation and design, we unfortunately cannot comment on timeframes. - Concern that cyclists may cycle at speed across the crossing without warning, making it difficult for drivers to stop in time.
To encourage cyclists to slow down as they approach the raised shared crossing, the existing bollards located on the northern side are proposed to be reinstated, and new chicane fencing provided on the southern side of the crossing. In addition, the raised crossing will reduce driver speeds and the layout of the crossing will allow cyclists and oncoming drivers to see each other easily. Taking all these measures into account, the likelihood of a conflict between a cyclist and oncoming traffic at this location is considered to be low. - Query if there is a rule on these crossings that cyclists should stop to check before cycling/walking across. Suggests a sign so they don't assume right of way at any moment. Concern also that the separate cycle crossing will encourage cyclists to cycle across, rather than dismount.
Similar to a standard zebra crossing, at a shared crossing of this type, pedestrians and cyclists have right of way. This means drivers are required to give way. Legally cyclists are also able to cycle across this type of crossing facility without dismounting. Such crossing facilities have been installed at a number of locations in Auckland. However, to encourage cyclists to slow down as they approach the new crossing, we are implementing the measures listed in the response above. - Concern that the separate cycle crossing is unnecessary as the path converges into a single path on the south side.
At present the existing shared path located adjacent to O’Neill’s Point Cemetery terminates at Bayswater Avenue at the northern side of the shared crossing, re-commences on the southern side of the crossing and continues across Bayswater Park. The raised shared crossing will therefore provide a safe crossing facility to link these existing shared paths. - Concern that moving the traffic island from the middle of the road to the edges will make it dangerous for cyclists on Bayswater Avenue. It will force them into the traffic lane.
Removing the traffic island from the middle road is not considered a safety risk for cyclists. Side islands are proposed on the northern side of the crossing facility to reduce the crossing distance and to make it easier for people driving and people crossing, including those on bicycles, to see each other. Signage is proposed at the islands and road markings will be provided to guide eastbound traffic away from the islands. In addition, the 4.5 m wide eastbound approach lane is considered sufficient for cyclists to safely share the lane with drivers if required.
Road safety
- Concern that the power pole on the cemetery side of the crossing will affect visibility.
The side islands proposed on the northern side of the crossing facility serve to reduce the crossing distance and will also make it easier for people driving and people crossing to see each other. They will eliminate the obstruction to visibility caused by the power pole. - Concern that drivers may use the much narrower Roberts Avenue/Norwood Road as an alternative route, and speed along these roads instead.
We acknowledge that the raised crossing may lead to some delays at this location due slower driver speeds, however it is not expected to significantly impact overall traffic flow. - Concern over speeding on Bayswater Avenue, even after the raised crossing is installed.
The main focus of this proposal is to provide a safe crossing facility and connection for pedestrians and cyclists crossing at this location, and to encourage slow driver speeds.
We are currently working on a plan to reduce speeds on Auckland’s roads. This plan targets the highest priority areas based on the level of safety risk measured for each road on our network. The initial roll out of speed reduction is focused on approximately 10 per cent of our road network, including residential areas.
This programme focuses delivery to areas that have been prioritised for changes to reduce the incidence and impact of crashes. This is 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.
While we do appreciate your concerns, Bayswater Ave 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. Read more information, including the residential areas that will be prioritised for further investigation can be viewed on the Residential Speed Management Programme.
Impact on traffic
- Concern that it will adversely impact traffic flow on Bayswater Avenue.
We acknowledge that the raised crossing may lead to some delays at this location due slower driver speeds, however it is not expected to significantly impact overall traffic flow. - Concern that the raised crossing will cause difficulties for certain vehicles travelling over it, in particular buses.
The raised crossing has been designed to ensure that all light vehicles and heavy vehicles, including buses, are able to travel over it safely at slow speeds. The raised crossing heights, widths and gradients are in accordance with Auckland Transport standards.
Parking
- Concern about the additional yellow lines around the bus stop. Parking is needed for home owners and people using the park at the weekend.
The broken yellow line restrictions are proposed by the bus stop to allow buses pull in and out of the stop easily and safely and is in line with Auckland Transport Standards. These broken yellow lines will result in the loss of two standard parking spaces. The parking displacement caused by the removal of these parking spaces can easily be accommodated in the nearby on-street parking areas on Bayswater Avenue.
Further requests
- Suggestion for an illuminated/solar sign that tells the driver to slow down as they approach.
Permanent warning signs are proposed at the raised crossing and in advance of the crossing facility to alert drivers of the oncoming raised crossing. In addition, due to the straight alignment of Bayswater Avenue, there is adequate forward visibility of the new crossing for on-coming drivers. Therefore, additional electronic signs are not considered to be necessary at this location at this stage. - Recommendation for further speed controls/traffic calming at around 100m and 50m from the crossing itself.
The main focus of this proposal is to provide a safe crossing facility and connection for pedestrians and cyclists crossing at this location, and to encourage slow driver speeds.
We are currently working on a plan to reduce speeds on Auckland’s roads. This plan targets the highest priority areas based on the level of safety risk measured for each road on our network. The initial roll out of speed reduction is focused on approximately 10 per cent of our road network, including residential areas.
This programme focuses delivery to areas that have been prioritised for changes to reduce the incidence and impact of crashes. This is 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.
While we do appreciate your concerns, Bayswater Ave 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. More information, including the residential areas that will be prioritised for further investigation can be viewed on the Residential Speed Management Programme. - Request for the walking/cycling separation signs on the downhill shared path to be removed. It would be safer for all downhill traffic to keep left and likewise those travelling uphill.
This path is part of the Takapuna to Devonport shared path which is controlled and maintained by Auckland Council. You can direct any concerns about the safety of this shared path to Auckland Council on 09 301 01 01. - Request for the crossing at Bayswater School on Bayswater Avenue be remedied as the gap between the raised crossing and the kerb collects water/poorly installed.
We are unable to accommodate this request as part of this project. However, we have referred this request to the relevant team within Auckland Transport for further consideration. - Request for angle parking on Bayswater Avenue and Robert Avenue, by the park, to enable safe parking for those attending sports fixtures and to also stop people parking at the intersections with Rosyth Avenue.
We are unable to accommodate this request as part of this project. However, we have referred this request to the relevant team within Auckland Transport for further consideration. - Requests for a similar crossing be added at the other side of the park, on Roberts Avenue, to connect the cycle path and walking track.
We have investigated Roberts Avenue and there have been no reported crashes on the section in front of the park in the last 5 years. Roberts Avenue is a low volume, residential local road where we do not expect difficulty crossing the road. We therefore cannot currently justify installing a new crossing at this location. - Request that the raised crossing is installed without a gap, as water can collect.
The raised crossing is designed to ensure the drainage channel is left unobstructed for water to flow. A chequer plate will be installed over the channel to provide an even surface for pedestrians and cyclists. This arrangement has been assessed from a stormwater perspective to ensure it does not result in water ponding under typical rain events.
Alternative recommendations and miscellaneous feedback
- Recommendation to add better signage at this location instead of the raised crossing.
The raised crossing is proposed at this location to provide a safe crossing facility where both pedestrians and cyclists have right of way. It will also encourage slow driver speeds. These benefits cannot be achieved through signage improvements alone. A raised shared crossing facility was considered the best option to provide a safe connection between the shared paths across Bayswater Avenue. - Recommendation for a crossing with lights instead. Concerned that pedestrians and cyclists will be continuously crossing and will affect traffic flow adversely.
Installation of traffic signals at this location are unlikely to be as effective in encouraging slow driver speeds as the raised crossing. In addition, to facilitate traffic signals at this location whilst maintaining required clearances to the overhead powerlines, relocation or undergrounding of the overhead powerlines would be required. This would result in additional construction costs that are unlikely to be justifiable. Therefore, a raised zebra crossing is considered more appropriate for this location. - Suggestion for a simple zebra crossing with flashing lights when a button is pushed.
At present a New Zealand Transport Authority approved zebra crossing facility arrangement with flashing lights that can be called through a push button is not available in New Zealand. - Concern that this project should not go ahead given the current Auckland Council budget deficits. Requests that instead pot holes are fixed and traffic lights adjusted to get traffic moving.
The raised crossing is proposed at this location to provide a safe crossing facility where both pedestrians and cyclists have right of way. It will also encourage slow driver speeds. Therefore, this crossing facility considered necessary to provide a safe connection across Bayswater Avenue for pedestrians and cyclists using the Takapuna to Devonport shared path. Whilst the current budget constraints of Auckland Council may mean this project could be delayed, cancellation of this project is not considered appropriate. - Concern that AT is installing too many expensive raised crossings.
The raised crossings are being implemented Auckland wide in support of Auckland Transport's Vision Zero approach.
Vision Zero for Tāmaki-Makaurau Auckland is an ambitious new transport safety vision that states that there will be no deaths or serious injuries on our transport system by 2050. We are guided by the Vision Zero approach to transport safety, which prioritises human safety over other measures. - Concern that speed bumps are bad for the environment and people’s fuel economy as they require vehicles to slow down and then accelerate in quick succession.
Raised platforms and speed bumps are an approved standard traffic calming measures that are proven to be effective in encouraging slow traffic speeds, thereby providing a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists.