Pupuke Rd, Northcote – Raised zebra crossing Pupuke Rd, Northcote – Raised zebra crossing

Proposal status: Feedback closed 27 May 2021

Reference number: RSU2021-101

Proposal update

We advised you in July 2021 that these works were scheduled to be constructed this 2021/2022 financial year, before June 2022. We are now writing to you to inform you that we have scheduled construction.

What happens next

This project now has a new construction target of March 2022.

Proposal outcome

In May 2021, we proposed changes to improve pedestrian safety on Pupuke Road and Lydia Avenue, in Northcote. This proposal is part of a region-wide programme to improve pedestrian safety. This location was identified as requiring improvements due to being located on a busy road near the local shops and there have been two minor injury pedestrian crashes recorded at the crossing within the last 5 years. After reviewing all the feedback, and an on-site meeting with the property and business owners at 1 Lydia Avenue, we are proceeding with the following minor changes:

In addition to the proposed pedestrian improvements, we will be installing P30 (maximum 30 minutes) parking restrictions outside of the corner shops to improve parking turnover and short-term parking availability at this location.

These works will help support our Vision Zero goal.

What happens next
We anticipate the changes will be constructed in the 2021/2022 financial year. 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.

Raised Zebra Crossing

Concern that a raised pedestrian crossing will not be effective in improving pedestrian safety and is unnecessary. Observation that existing signs to alert drivers of the existing crossing are sufficient. The crossing in its current layout is unsafe for pedestrians and increased awareness is required from drivers to ensure pedestrians can safety cross the road. There have been two pedestrian crashes recorded at this crossing where drivers have failed to give way to a pedestrian on the zebra crossing. The proposed raised crossing requires additional signs to ensure that approaching drivers are given adequate warning that they need to slow down when approaching the raised crossing. Research shows that a raised pedestrian crossing has the effectiveness of reducing the traffic and pedestrian crashes by 45%. This protects pedestrians from careless driving and increases driver awareness of people crossing the road. Therefore, we believe that the proposed raised crossing will provide improved safety measures for pedestrians.

Observation that there is often congestion on Pupuke Rd in the evenings. Concern raised crossing will impede traffic flow and increase congestion during peak hours. Concern that a raised zebra crossing will result in increased petrol usage. We believe that the introduction of a raised crossing will improve safety for pedestrians during both peak and non-peak times and will have minimal effect on the flow of traffic. We do not believe the raised crossing will have a significant impact upon the fuel usage of vehicles travelling across it. Improving the safety of pedestrians is one of the main objectives of this project which aligns with our Vision Zero approach to transport safety, which prioritises human safety over other measures (like minor time saving).
Concern about whether adequate signage and streetlighting will be installed to support the new proposed crossing. Request for streetlighting to be improved at the crossing. All road markings, signage and street lighting will be upgraded as part of this project. The street lighting will be designed to ensure the required lighting levels are met for this crossing.
Concern that placement of the raised crossing would create safety issues when vehicles are turning right out of Lydia Avenue. Tracking checks have been carried out to ensure that turning manoeuvres from the side road and private access ways are accommodated
Suggestion to move crossing to 72-76 Pupuke Road. Belief that this location is more visible for oncoming vehicles and children are frequently observed crossing there. We undertook a pedestrian survey at this location which shows that the existing crossing location is well used therefore relocation is not required.
Concern that a raised zebra crossing will result in increased vehicle wear & tear. Raised tables are designed in such a way that vehicles are required to slow down to appropriate speeds to travel over them. The raised crossings will not damage vehicles provided vehicles travel over the crossing at an appropriate speed.
Concern that raised crossing will delay emergency services vehicles. The elevation of this crossing is a single speed treatment which not considered to greatly affect emergency services call out times. We consulted representatives from emergency services (Fire, Ambulance & Police), and they raised no objections or concerns around the raised crossing.

Lydia Avenue/Pupuke Road intersection

Request for a raised table crossing on Lydia Avenue also. Our pedestrian survey showed low pedestrian demand to cross Lydia Avenue. The proposed changes will reduce speeds along Pupuke Road in the vicinity of Lydia Avenue and the exit speeds out of Lydia Avenue are expected to be low as well due to gradient of the road. Therefore, there is no need to provide a speed table on Lydia Avenue at this stage.
Observation that when Pupuke Rd is busy it is difficult to turn right out of Lydia Avenue. Concern that residents of Lydia Avenue will have to queue to get out of Lydia in the morning during peak hour traffic. We appreciate that currently people have to wait to turn right out of Lydia Avenue as there is a high traffic volume on Pupuke Road. We accept that the raised crossing may result in a very minor delay to traffic turning from Lydia Avenue however we do not believe that any significant delays will be caused as a result of this crossing. Improving the safety of pedestrians is one of the main objectives of this project which aligns with our Vision Zero approach to transport safety, which prioritises human safety over other measures (like minor time saving)
Concern around loss of left-turning slip lane. Concern that proposed footpath will cause cars to wait a long time behind vehicles waiting to turn right onto Pupuke Road, causing congestion and stopping flow of traffic. Concern this issue will be worsened during peak hour. Suggestion to reduce the size of the traffic island on Lydia Avenue to allow for a left turning lane for traffic turning in to Pupuke Rd. Lydia Avenue is a low volume local access road with approximate traffic volumes of 350 vehicle per day. Therefore, dual exiting lanes are not deemed to be required. A single exiting lane is safer for pedestrians as it reduces the crossing distance and removes the risk of blind spots for pedestrians who choose to cross between cars at the intersection of Lydia Avenue and Pupuke Road.
Concern Lydia Avenue is already narrow enough due to parking behaviour in the street. There are no changes to the road width of Lydia Avenue proposed as a part of this project. The proposed extension to the footpath and kerb will improve pedestrian safety at the intersection and will not affect the current lane arrangement.

Concern that the proposed design at the intersection of Lydia Avenue and Pupuke Road would worsen an ongoing issue with customers of the corner shops doing dangerous u-turns at the top of Lydia Avenue. Currently, vehicles park haphazardly in front of the shops leading to risk for pedestrians and other road users. The proposal aims to tidy up the intersection so that vehicles can park legally without creating risk other road users. We believe that the proposed design will limit the ability for vehicles to undertake u-turn movements at the top of Lydia Avenue.

Bus Stop Relocation

Request not to move the bus stop as proposed. Concern that the new location of the bus stop would make it more difficult to turn right out of Lydia Avenue if traffic is backed up when bus is stopped. Concern relocation of bus stop will increase congestion during peak hours. The existing bus stop outside 92 Pupuke Road is substandard with no bus stop markings. Therefore, it is necessary to relocate this bus stop to a location where existing on street parking for residents and visitors is not compromised. Furthermore, there is adequate space for motorists to overtake the bus when it is stopped at the bus stop.

Suggestion to install cycling infrastructure at this location. Concern that this design does not enable the safe cycling of children within the area. This project aims to improve pedestrian safety at this location and the installation of cycling infrastructure is outside of the scope of this project. Therefore, we will therefore forward your request to our cycling team for investigation and consideration.

Parking – Broken Yellow Lines

Objection to painting of broken yellow lines on either side of the bus stop west of Lydia Avenue. Observation that parking on Pupuke Rd is already in high demand and there are many flats on this stretch of road which that rely upon on-street parking.
The proposed broken yellow lines on either side of the bus stops meet the standard design requirements for bus stops, which require 15 metres of broken yellow lines to allow a bus to safely pull into the stop and 9 metres of broken yellow lines to allow a bus to safely pull out of the stop. If these parking restrictions are not installed at bus stops, it leads to cars parking too close to the stop which results in buses overhanging into the traffic lane.
Concern that poor parking behaviour near driveways already makes it dangerous for vehicles to pull out and therefore removal of parking would make this safety issue worse. The proposal aims to remove minimal parking on Pupuke Road whilst providing improved visibility at the driveways.
Concern that loss of car parks and turning space will be of concern to business owners and local residents. Suggestion to revisit parking design. Parking has only been removed where it is necessary to provide adequate visibility for both drivers and pedestrians and for bus stop accessibility, or where it is required in the relevant road design standards. The proposed parking layout outside shops will accommodate more parking than the current arrangement.

Concern that local dairy will lose customers and profits as it is felt the changes will limit ability for locals to "quickly pop in". The proposed design will not affect accessibility to the set of shops. The car parks will be more easily accessible due to the structured angle parking provided for entering and exiting vehicles. Furthermore, the added parking restrictions of P30 (maximum 30 minutes) outside of the shops will help to improve parking turnover and short-term parking availability.
Observation that vehicles will now have to reverse straight onto Pupuke Rd as the free space at top of Lydia will be blocked by footpath. Concern this will decrease safety and discourage people from visiting local shops. Concern that vehicles reversing out of the carparks on Pupuke Rd will cause issues as it is a busy road. Observation of many near misses occurring at this location already. The proposed raised table zebra crossing will reduce the approach and exit speeds of the vehicles in this section of Pupuke Road encompassing the intersection of Lydia Avenue. This reduction in speed and adequate visibility will help vehicles to reverse out of angle parking bays safely.
Belief that pedestrians have crossed Lydia Ave with no difficulty for decades. Currently, vehicles park haphazardly in front of the shops leading to risk for pedestrians and other road users. The proposal aims to tidy up the intersection so that vehicles can park legally without creating risk to other road users.
Request to consider not to allow off-street parking on the southern side of Pupuke Rd, between the top of Raleigh Rd & Lydia Avenue. Observation that this parking issue also exists when turning left towards Birkenhead Ave, as parked cars force vehicles to travel over the centre line. The available road width between the centre line and kerb on the southern side of Pupuke Road between Raleigh Road and Lydia Avenue is approximately 5.2 metres. This is wide enough to accommodate on-street parking and through traffic. Therefore, there is no need to remove parking on the southern side of Pupuke Road at this stage.

General

Request to install a NO EXIT sign at the top of Lydia Avenue to stop vehicles from turning down the cul-de-sac seeking a rat run when there is congestion on Pupuke Road. There is already a no exit sign in place under the street name on the street sign.
Belief that money would be better spent maintaining existing roads. Auckland Transport has a dedicated maintenance fund for maintaining existing roads in Auckland. This crossing will be funded from a separate funding stream.
Suggestion to include enhancements to trees and vegetation/landscaping as part of the project. This project will involve minor tree trimming if required, no other trees work is planned as a part of this project.
Concern that visibility is very poor when exiting driveways in this area, as vehicles are observed travelling at speed when entering Pupuke Rd from Raleigh Road and it is difficult to see oncoming traffic from the direction of Birkenhead Road. We agree that visibility is an issue, as some of the properties are on the bend. However, it is the responsibility of the driver to exit their premises with due care without endangering other road users.
Suggestion to implement penalties and fixed timeframes for contractors, concern that project timelines are often slow. All construction contracts have specified timeframes.

Concern that no alternative options have been offered as part of consultation. Alternative treatments were considered prior to finalising this proposal for public consultation. Raising the existing at grade zebra crossing to a raised zebra crossing was deemed to be the best approach due to the safety benefits of this option.
Suggestion for speed camera to be installed at top of hill, near 90-94 Pupuke Rd. Belief this requires less intervention and would be more effective at slowing vehicle speeds in the area, which is believed to be biggest safety issue at this crossing. There have been two pedestrian crashes at this crossing in the last five years where drivers have failed to give way to a pedestrian on the zebra crossing. Therefore, the main purpose of this project is to provide safer crossing facilities for pedestrians. While speed cameras would work, it will not reduce the speeds of the vehicles to survivable speeds.
Request to install a "look for cars" sign for pedestrians heading west on Pupuke Rd crossing Lydia Rd. Observation that pedestrians often do not look behind them east when crossing Lydia and vehicles turning into Lydia have to suddenly brake and give way to them. The proposed raised zebra crossing will reduce the speeds of the vehicles along Pupuke Road. The changes to the parking layout outside the shops provides a direct crossing point along Lydia Avenue. Therefore, pedestrian’s safety is improved by this proposal and hence no additional signage is required.

We're proposing improvements in your area

We are proposing some changes in Pupuke Road, Northcote, to improve the safety of all road users, particularly people crossing the street, accessing the bus stops and walking to the local shops.

The changes we are proposing:

Upgrade the existing zebra crossing outside of the Watercare Facility on Pupuke Road with a raised zebra crossing. This will include installing new footpaths to join the edge of the crossing with the footpath and upgrades to the traffic islands to create a safe space for pedestrians to wait in the centre of the crossing.
Relocate the existing bus stop on the northern side of Pupuke Road (outside of #94), to the northern kerb outside of the Watercare Facility.
Paint bus stop markings to signal the existing bus stop west of Lydia Avenue, on the southern side of Pupuke Road. This includes painting broken yellow line (no stopping at all times) restrictions extending 9 metres on either side of the bus stop, to allow for the bus to safely pull out of the bus stop and back on to the road. This will result in the loss of three parking spaces.
Constructing new footpaths and kerbs at the intersection of Lydia Avenue and Pupuke Road, to create a safer intersection with improved visibility. These footpaths will also be fitted with tactile pavers, and a metal plate outside of the shops will join this new footpath with the existing footpath, while still allowing for stormwater drainage.
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.
Paint four dedicated parking spaces outside of the local shops at the corner of Lydia Avenue.
Install new signage and road markings to reflect these changes.

Download the proposal drawing for Pupuke Road (PDF 1.4MB)

The proposed changes would help improve safety for all road users on Pupuke Road and Lydia Avenue. The proposed new raised pedestrian crossing will be a Swedish-style raised table, which is a flat and wide with a gradual slope at one end that will make it more comfortable for buses and passengers. This crossing would slow the speed of vehicles approaching the crossing and allow for greater visibility of people on the crossing for approaching drivers. The pedestrian island in the middle of the crossing will create a safe place for people to wait in the centre of the road, between crossing each lane. The proposed new footpaths and kerbing at the intersection of Lydia Avenue and Pupuke Road will provide safer access for people to walk to the local shops, while also increasing visibility and improving safety of drivers turning in and out of the intersection.

Give your feedback for Pupuke Road

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.
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 by 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 Pupuke 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).