School Road, Wellsford – Pedestrian Crossing Improvements School Road, Wellsford – Pedestrian Crossing Improvements

Proposal status: Feedback closed 4 June 2021. Last updated 21 February 2022.

Reference number: RSU1819-052C

Proposal update

We advised you in June 2021 that these works were scheduled for construction in the 2021 to 2022 financial year.

This project now has a construction target between March and April 2022.

Proposal outcome

In May 2021, we proposed to upgrade the existing zebra crossing on School Road to a raised zebra crossing. After reviewing all the feedback, we are proceeding with the work as proposed. These works will help support our Vision Zero goal.

The changes we are proposing:

Upgrade and reposition the existing zebra crossing to a raised zebra crossing that is at a platform level with the footpath 20 metres from its original position.
Reconstruct and widen the footpath on each side of the new zebra crossing. This will make it safer for pedestrians by reducing the distance they need to walk on the road.
Paint broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) on School Road to ensure that drivers can see pedestrians using the raised zebra crossing. This will remove 7 on street parking spaces.
Install tactile pavers for pedestrians approaching the raised zebra crossing. These are yellow guidance paving markers to help visually impaired people to find their way to crossings and safely across roads.
Install a streetlight outside 44 School Road to improve pedestrian safety when using the raised zebra crossing during low lit hours.
Install an orange reflective disc at each end of the zebra crossing to alert drivers to the crossing.
Install a ‘bump’ sign to alert drivers to the new raised zebra crossing.

Download the updated drawing PDF

This proposal is supported by the Auckland Regional fuel tax.

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.

Broken Yellow Lines

Concern that the painted broken yellow lines will not stop drivers from parking here, and that stricter parking restrictions are needed.Parking on broken yellow lines is illegal and this is clearly outlined in New Zealand’s Road Code. All drivers are expected to be aware of the Road Code and may be subject to enforcement action if they park illegally. If you notice a vehicle parked on broken yellow lines on School Road, please contact us on (09) 355 3553 with the vehicle details.

Concern that the proposal will not stop the issue of drivers parking outside no.42. Request for a “No Parking” sign to be installed here. Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. The broken yellow lines that have been marked out at 42 School Road are considered to be a sufficient no stopping control measure and are believed to deter any illegal parking behaviour. Auckland Transport does not duplicate restrictions on the road, where the broken yellow lines already clearly installed. If a vehicle is parked blocking your access, please contact our call centre on (09) 355 3553 anytime with the vehicle details to request enforcement.

Speed calming measures

Request for speed bumps to be installed 50m either side of the crossing to further reduce driver speeds when approaching the crossing. Thank you for your feedback. This proposal includes an advance warning sign and road markings which will notify approaching road users of the upgraded raised zebra crossing, informing drivers to adjust their speed appropriately. We will continue to monitor the speeds along School Road following the installation of the upgraded crossing. If further interventions are required, we will consider additional traffic calming features such as speed bumps in the future.

Network

Request for a raised zebra crossing to be installed at the entrance of Ahuru Street, as cars use the street entrance as a turning point and school children frequently cross here, creating a safety issue. Ahuru Street is a residential cul-de-sac with a low daily traffic volume. Given the road’s function and its traffic volume, the existing pedestrian island crossing on Ahuru Street at its intersection with School Road is considered to be appropriate. Furthermore, as the existing zebra crossing will be relocated further west within this project, away from the intersection of Ahuru Street, we anticipate that U-turn manoeuvres will become less frequent at the Ahuru Street and School Road intersection.

Request for the crossing to be patrolled for school children. The upgraded crossing will be patrolled by Wellsford school.

We're proposing improvements in your area

We are proposing to improve pedestrian crossing facilities on School Road by upgrading the existing zebra crossing to a raised zebra crossing.

The changes we are proposing:

Upgrade and reposition the existing zebra crossing to a raised zebra crossing that is at a platform level with the footpath 20 metres from it’s original position.
Reconstruct and widen the footpath on each side of the new zebra crossing. This will make it safer for pedestrians by reducing the distance they need to walk on the road.
Paint broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) on School Road to ensure that drivers can see pedestrians using the raised zebra crossing. This will remove 7 on street parking spaces.
Install tactile pavers for pedestrians approaching the raised zebra crossing. These are yellow guidance paving markers to help visually impaired people to find their way to crossings and safely across roads.
Install a streetlight outside 44 School Road to improve pedestrian safety when using the raised zebra crossing during low lit hours.
Install an orange reflective disc at each end of the zebra crossing to alert drivers to the crossing.
Install a ‘hump’ sign to alert drivers to the new raised zebra crossing. You can find more information and a drawing showing the proposed changes below.

Auckland Transport would like to work with you to deliver safer roads in your neighbourhood. Between 2012 and 2017 Auckland Transport found a 75% increase in the number of pedestrians seriously injured or killed at pedestrian crossings. As a result, the Regional Land Transport Plan 2018-2028 was created, committing Auckland Transport to address this increasing trend. The existing crossing on School Road was highlighted as a crossing location that needed upgrading to ensure that pedestrian safety is prioritised. By relocating the crossing 20m it is now in a location that is preferred by school pupils and the crossing will be patrolled by Wellsford School. The changes proposed will improve the pedestrian safety for both residents and pupils and reduce driver speeds on School Road, particularly during school pick up and drop off hours

Download the proposal drawing for School Road (PDF 1.2MB)

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.

Wellsford: 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 School 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).