Lake Road, Northcote – Signalised Raised Crossing Lake Road, Northcote – Signalised Raised Crossing
Proposal status: Feedback closed 17 December 2021
Reference number: RSU2021-062
Proposal outcome
In December 2021, we proposed changes to improve road crossing safety for pedestrians by installing a new pedestrian crossing outside Northcote Intermediate School on Lake Road, Northcote. These changes are in response to an investigation which highlighted the need for improved crossing facilities at this location, particularly for school children, people travelling by bus, and people on bikes.
After reviewing all the feedback, we are proceeding with the work as proposed. This work will help support our Vision Zero goal.
What happens next
We anticipate construction will be completed by June 2022. We will contact local residents and businesses who may be affected, prior to any construction taking place.
Community feedback
Thank you for helping us make better decisions for your neighbourhood, informed by your local knowledge.
The majority of respondents were supportive of this proposal. In their feedback, people reported feeling unsafe at the idea of their children crossing Lake Road and expressed their belief that the new pedestrian crossing would improve road safety.
The following is a summary of the additional comments and queries we received, and our responses to them.
Raised signalised crossing
- Suggestion that the crossing is signalised but not raised, as there are enough advanced warnings are in place, and this area is currently a "slow speed environment" during school hours. Too many safety measures become distracting for drivers.
We are committed to delivering the Vision Zero strategy and providing safer crossing facilities for pedestrians. An important element of this strategy is to ensure that if a crash involving pedestrians happens, it must be at survivable speeds of below 30 km/h.
Speed surveys undertaken over a period of time on Lake Road indicate speeds frequently exceeding the 50 km/h speed limit. Therefore, a raised crossing was proposed as it is one of the most efficient means for reducing driving speeds. We have however, opted for a shallower and lower speed table, recognising the importance of Lake Road as a major vehicle traffic corridor. - Query why this pedestrian crossing is signalised when the 3 surrounding crossings in the area are not. Belief that this raised signalised crossing is unnecessary, as students and the public already use the nearby crossings.
Currently, there is no pedestrian crossing facility outside Northcote Intermediate School to cater for school children crossing the road. The specific section of Lake Road outside Northcote Intermediate School is on a crest and therefore, motorists do not have sufficient visibility of the pedestrian crossing facility.
A signalised pedestrian crossing has been proposed as signals provide better visibility of crossing facility to motorists. The design was consulted with the school representatives, who fully support the additional crossing at this location. - Request to invest the funds to improve the crossing outside Countdown instead, as it serves the school, the supermarket, bus stop and Greenslade Reserve.
The existing pedestrian crossing outside of Countdown will be upgraded at a later date as part of wider improvement works at the Northcote Mall. - Suggestion that if pedestrian demand justify a signalised crossing, then the footpath on the west side needs a major upgrade as it is only about 800 mm wide in sections.
The western footpath will be widened in the future as part of corridor improvements on Lake Road. The project provides a safe crossing opportunity for pupils and parents of Northcote Intermediate School, for passengers using the nearby bus stops, and cyclists using the cycle lanes on Lake Road.
Signal phasing
- Suggestion that the traffic lights are automatically phased to stop traffic frequently between 8:30am and 3:30pm, but push-button operated at all other times of the day.
The proposed crossing facility will only be operated by push button, thereby causing minimum disruption to the through traffic. The raised table feature will encourage motorists to go through the area at lower speeds even if the crossing is not operating.
Pedestrian safety
- Suggestion to install pedestrian barrier fences along both approaches to discourage jaywalking and ensure that children line up and cross safely in a designated area.
There are a number of driveways, parking spaces and bus stops near the proposed crossing. Any railing or barrier would have to accommodate these spaces, and so would be unable to fulfil its intended purpose and lead to unnecessary street clutter. We will work with the school management to operate the crossing safely and efficiently.
Cyclist Safety
- Suggestion to ensure that cyclist pull-off area in the northwest is big enough for a group of cyclists to wait to cross.
A section of 3m wide footpath will be provided adjacent to the crossing on the western side, providing additional waiting space for cyclists and pedestrians.
- Concern that the cycle lane markings running into the bus stop creates an unsafe environment. Suggestion to install a bus stop island or cross hatching markings to improve safety, especially for kids on bikes.
The proposed solution is deemed adequate in terms of safety because less confident cyclists have an alternative in the form of the shared cycle path on the eastern side of Lake Road.
Miscellaneous
- Concern about the lack of spaces for parents driving to drop kids off if approaching from the south.
The proposal results in a loss of two parking spaces on the eastern side of Lake Road. This minor reduction in parking availability is justified by the improvements for pedestrians and cyclists this project delivers, giving parents the opportunity to transport their children by other means, such as walking and cycling.
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.
We're planning to install a new pedestrian crossing outside Northcote Intermediate School on Lake Road, Northcore. This is in response to an investigation into pedestrian safety in this area.
We are proposing to:
- Install a signalised raised crossing outside of Northcote Intermediate School. This is a traffic-light controlled crossing on top of a wide, flat speed bump. This crossing will be paired, which means both pedestrians and cyclists can use it. This crossing will result in the loss of 3 parking spaces.
- Extend the kerbs and install new footpaths on either side of the crossing. This will make the raised crossing flush with the footpath and ensure drivers can clearly see people waiting to cross. We also plan to install tactile pavers on both sides of the crossing. These are yellow and green guidance paving markers that help visually impaired people find the crossing and safely cross the road.
- Paint Advanced Stop Boxes. (ASBs) These are green boxes with a bicycle symbol painted on them. Cyclists can wait in ASBs at traffic lights. This makes them more visible to people driving.
- Install skid-resistant surfacing on both approaches to the crossing. This will help to slow vehicle speeds.
- Install cycle separators on the northern approach to the crossing. These are flexible plastic orange poles that help separate vehicles and people on bikes.
- Move the bus stop and shelter currently at 162 Lake Road to 166A Lake Road. This will include painting broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) on the southern side of the stop. That way, buses can safely move in and out of the bus stop.
Download the proposal drawing for Lake Road (PDF 2.01MB)
You can also send us your feedback by post. Download, print, and fill out our feedback form and send it freepost using the address details provided.
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.
Northcote: 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 Lake 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).