Sunrise Avenue, Mairangi Bay - Pedestrian safety improvements Sunrise Avenue, Mairangi Bay - Pedestrian safety improvements

Proposal status: Feedback closed

Reference number: 20100380

Proposal update

In June 2023, we advised you that these works were scheduled to be constructed before June 2024. Due to a shortage in budget, the construction of this project has been pushed out and is now planned for between July 2024 and June 2025.


Proposal outcome

In November 2022, we proposed changes to improve road crossing safety for pedestrians and cyclists at 6 Sunrise Avenue, Mairangi Bay. After reviewing all the feedback we received, we are proceeding with the work as proposed. These works will help support Tāmaki Makaurau’s Vision Zero goal.   

What happens next  

We anticipate the changes will be constructed before June 2024. We will be in touch with local residents and businesses prior to any construction taking place.  

Community feedback

We appreciate the time the community put into their submissions. We have considered all the feedback we received and provided responses to questions and concerns below. 

Cost

Save money and upgrade existing pedestrian crossing

Our response: The proposed raised crossing location is in place where most people cross the road and will encourage motorists to travel at slower, safer speeds. Other locations, including the existing pedestrian crossing location, are unsuitable for raising the crossing because of nearby driveways and side roads.  

Parking 

Parking is tight especially during school pick up and drop off times, more parking spaces not less, and an inconvenience with development of housing at #5, #10 and #18 Sunrise Avenue

Our response: We understand the removal of parking is inconvenient so we have minimised it as much as possible and will be reinstating some parking when we remove the existing pedestrian crossing. The proposed parking removal is what is necessary to make it easier for motorists and pedestrians to see each other. We will monitor parking post-construction and make changes where necessary.  

Visibility

Concern with reversing out of their driveway with vehicles not slowing down around the slight bend, safety issues for drivers turning left from Clematis Avenue, and installing a pedestrian crossing is a safety concern. There should be best practise guidelines regarding this.

Our response: We’ve made sure the location of the proposed pedestrian crossing is safe and follows relevant transport design standards for visibility.  

Congestion

Traffic congestion during school hours, buses tend to pile up on Sunrise Avenue

Our response: The proposed relocation of this pedestrian crossing is not expected to have a significant impact on traffic. Busy traffic and congestion are common in and around school zones. However, these peak periods are relatively short and any adverse congestion impacts are expected to be minor. 

Miscellaneous

People will have to walk a fair distance from Beach Road to get to the new crossing and cross safely. This will deter people.

Our response: Pedestrians wishing to cross Beach Road/Sunrise Avenue intersection with an increased level of protection may use the pedestrian island located opposite 473 Beach Road. Motorists currently travel at unsafe speeds through the existing crossing. The proposed location will maximise pedestrian safety and encourage safe speeds, while considering where people most want to cross the road and locations of driveways and side streets. 

Install pedestrian islands on both ends of Sunrise Avenue.

Our response: We will investigate in a separate project whether additional pedestrian facilities can be implemented here. Please refer to CRM:000043207494. 


We're proposing improvements in your area

We’re proposing improvements in your area

Listening to what you have to say is important to us. Your local knowledge can help us make better decisions, so together we can achieve the best outcomes for your neighbourhood.

We are proposing to: 

  • Remove the existing pedestrian crossing located at 2 Sunrise Avenue, as well as the road markings and broken yellow lines supporting the crossing.
  • Install a raised zebra crossing at 6 Sunrise Avenue. The crossing will be on top of a wide, flat speed bump with a traffic island at the centre of the road and a gently sloping exit.
  • Install tactile pavers which are yellow guidance paving markers that help visually impaired people find their way to the crossing and safely cross the road.
  • Paint road markings and broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) to support the changes. This will result in the loss of 5 parking spaces.

Download the proposal drawing for Sunrise Avenue, Mairangi Bay (PDF 1.66MB).

This proposal is in response to requests from the community to address speeding along Sunrise Avenue. The proposed changes aim to improve pedestrian safety along this section of Sunrise Avenue, particularly for vulnerable pedestrians such as students from Murrays Bay Intermediate School. The existing zebra crossing at 2 Sunrise Avenue does not meet our current safety standards.

The proposed crossing would provide a safer place for people to cross the road on Sunrise Avenue, as it would:

  • Slow motorists to a safer speed.
  • Raise pedestrians crossing the road, especially children, to be at eye-level of approaching motorists. This would make them easier to see from a distance.
  • Improve visibility between motorists and people waiting to cross the road.
  • Make it more comfortable for everyone, including people with prams and wheelchairs, to cross the road as the crossing is level with the footpath.

We understand that removing parking can be inconvenient, so we have minimised the removal of parking as much as possible.

Mairangi Bay: 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 Sunrise 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).