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Chartwell Avenue, Glenfield – Pedestrian Improvements Chartwell Avenue, Glenfield – Pedestrian Improvements

Proposal status: Feedback closed 4 July 2022

Reference number: RSU1920-157A

Proposal outcome

In June 2022 we proposed changes to improve pedestrian safety on Chartwell Avenue in Glenfield. These changes are in response to our road safety investigations which found there have been several pedestrian crashes at this location.

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 in January 2023. We will be in touch with local residents and businesses prior to any construction taking place.

Community feedback

Thank you for helping us make better decisions for your neighbourhood, informed by your local knowledge.

Most respondents were supportive of this proposal. In their feedback, people told us that they were concerned for the safety of their tamariki walking around near Marlborough Primary School and the local shops. Most respondents expressed support for all the proposed measures, such as the speed bumps and raised crossing, to slow drivers down. 

The following is a summary of the additional comments and queries we received, and our responses to them.

Construction

  • Request for minimal traffic disruption due to negative effects on nearby businesses.
    We will put in place short term, temporary measures to manage traffic flow so that we can minimise any disruption to road users as much as possible.
  • Request for proposed changes to be constructed quickly.
    We will ensure that this project is completed as quickly as possible.
  • Request for construction to be completed during school holidays.
    We will consider this request, but it depends on available resources at the time.

Crossing Design

  • Concern that the crossing is fine as is and does not need to be raised.
    In the last five years there have been four reported pedestrian crashes on this section of Chartwell Avenue. One resulted in a serious injury and two resulted in minor injuries.

    We believe that these incidents indicate a safety issue and have proposed these improvements to increase safety for vulnerable road users, like pedestrians.
  • Request to raise the zebra crossing across Chartwell Avenue near the shops.
    We did consider raising the zebra crossing at 26 Chartwell Avenue. However, there is an overland flow path on this section of Chartwell Avenue. This means that raising the zebra crossing at 26 Chartwell Avenue would likely cause surface water to flow into the adjacent property in the event of heavy rainfall.

    For this reason, we are only raising the zebra crossing near the school at 10 Chartwell Avenue.
  • Request for additional signage, suggestion that it also flashes to warn drivers to slow down.
    The proposal includes signs to provide adequate advance warning of the speed cushions and zebra crossing.
  • Request for a flashing light system at the crossing outside the school during school hours.
    Variable school zone signage (flashing light system), as described, is currently outside the scope of this project. However, it will be considered should the speed limit on Chartwell Avenue be reviewed in the future. 

Traffic Calming

  • Suggestions to install additional speed bumps, additional speed cushions, speed cameras, signalise the crossing, and install a roundabout.
    The proposed changes are sufficient and appropriate to address the safety issues at this location. The additional requested changes are not considered necessary and exceed the scope of this project.
  • Request to lower the speed limit to 30km/h.
    The proposed speed cushions and raised crossing will reduce overall speeds along Chartwell Avenue, which will improve safety for all road users.

    As part of our Safe Speeds Programme, we will also consider Chartwell Avenue for speed limit reduction in the next phase. More information about the Safe Speeds Programme can be found here.

Miscellaneous

  • Concern that trees will obscure the light from the new streetlights as the trees here are not well maintained.
    Trees will be trimmed back as required to ensure there is appropriate lighting available for all road users to be able to see clearly. 
  • Concern that the bus shelter may obscure vision of those crossing the road and request for tree trimming to improve visibility of pedestrians for drivers.
    Tree and vegetation trimming will be undertaken as required. We conducted a visibility assessment at the zebra crossing and found that there are suitably clear lines of sight for drivers and pedestrians.
  • Concern about increase to traffic congestion, especially Westbound.
    The level of traffic congestion on Chartwell Avenue is unlikely to increase as a result of the new improvements.
  • Concern that drivers do not stop at the existing pedestrian crossing.
    Speed cushions and the new raised crossing at 10 Chartwell Avenue will force drivers to slow down to below 30 km/h as well as improve their visibility and awareness of pedestrians. Should a driver fail to stop, and a crash occur, the lower speeds will reduce the likelihood of a death or serious injury.
  • Request to put up barriers opposite 22 Chartwell Ave to prevent children from running across the road to the bus and request to install a pedestrian footbridge.
    These changes exceed the scope of this project and would risk introducing additional hazards to the roadside.
  • Request for cyclist improvements such as further broken yellow lines near 10 Chartwell Avenue.
    Chartwell Avenue is not yet on our programme for cycle improvements as part of our Future Connect plan.

    We understand your concerns regarding cycle safety, but we give priority to streets that are currently identified as major cycle routes, and it will be some time away before Chartwell Avenue is recognised as a cycle route. The school, kindergartens, and shops nearby mean that we needed to retain as much parking as possible without compromising safety for vulnerable road users.

    This project will encourage lower speeds on Chartwell Avenue, which reduces the likelihood of serious harm in the event of a crash. While we do not expect children to cycle on the road, the slow speeds will allow confident cyclists to share the road with other traffic.

We're proposing improvements in your area

As part of our work to keep Aucklanders moving, we are proposing pedestrian safety improvements along Chartwell Avenue. 

We are proposing to:

  • Install speed cushions (small speed bumps) at 19 and 34 Chartwell Avenue. This will encourage drivers to slow down as they approach the shops and the pedestrian crossing at 26 Chartwell Avenue.
  • Build a short section of new footpath on the eastern side of Chartwell Avenue, outside the local shops. This will improve access to the bus stop and local shops in the area, especially for people parking on Chartwell Avenue. 
  • Extend the kerb on the corner at 2 Ramillies Place and upgrade the central island to create a pedestrian link to the existing footpaths
  • Install new bus shelters at the existing bus stops at 32 and 23 Chartwell Avenue
  • Replace the existing pedestrian crossing at 10/11 Chartwell Avenue with a raised zebra crossing, which is a pedestrian crossing on a wide flat speed bump
  • Install tactile pavers at every road crossing point, including the existing pedestrian crossing at 26 Chartwell Avenue. Tactile pavers are yellow guidance paving markers that help visually impaired people find their way to crossings and safely across roads.
  • Paint new road markings to accompany the speed cushions and raised zebra crossing. We will also update older road markings to meet current standards.

Download the proposal drawing for Chartwell Avenue (PDF 1MB) 

How this will benefit your neighbourhood

In the past 5 years, 4 crashes involving pedestrians have been reported on this section of Chartwell Avenue. That's why we're proposing changes to make it safer. 

A raised zebra crossing makes pedestrians more visible to drivers and encourages drivers to slow down. The proposed speed cushions would also guide drivers to slow down as they approach the shops at 23 to 29 Chartwell Place. These changes would make the environment safer for all road users.

The proposed crossing near Marlborough Primary School at 10 Chartwell Avenue would be raised to the height of the footpath. This would make it comfortable for everyone, including people with prams and wheelchairs, to cross the road. The proposed footpath extension would let people get to the shops and bus stops more safely. 

Give your feedback

What happens next

  • We’ll listen to 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

This proposal is supported with funding from the Auckland regional fuel tax.

Glenfield: 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 Chartwell 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).