Woodcocks Road, Warkworth - Raised zebra crossing Woodcocks Road, Warkworth - Raised zebra crossing

Proposal status: Feedback closed 1 November 2019, last updated 25 November 2020.

Reference number: SSP1920-002

Proposal update 25 November 2020

We advised you in December 2019 that these works were scheduled to be constructed by June 2020. Unfortunately, construction of this project did not happen due to the impact of Covid-19. This project is part of the Safe Schools programme and is dependent on the level of funding we receive from Auckland Council. This year funding has been reduced due to Covid-19. While only planning and design will continue this year for some projects, we have prioritised this project to be constructed in the 2020/2021 financial year.

This project now has a construction target of January 2021.

We've proposed changes in your area

In October 2019, we proposed a new raised zebra crossing at 47 Woodcocks Road in Warkworth. The proposed changes included:

Installing a new raised zebra crossing that is level with the footpath. This will slow traffic and give pedestrians priority to cross.
New broken yellow lines parking restrictions on the north side of the proposed crossing to prevent people from parking on the edge line and blocking the crossing. This will improve the visibility between pedestrians and drivers.
New road markings and signs to make sure the crossing can be clearly seen by drivers.

Download the proposal drawing for Woodcocks Road (PDF 1.6MB)

Why the changes are needed

Our proposal responded to a request from Mahurangi College to address the safety concerns over school children crossing Woodcocks Road. The proposed changes are expected to improve the safety of pedestrians, especially young school children. Currently, there are limited safe pedestrian crossings in the area.

Proposal outcome - 19 December 2019

The proposed changes will proceed to the next stage of detailed planning before the crossing is constructed. Thank you to everyone who responded to our proposal and gave us the chance to better understand your community and concerns. A summary of your feedback and our responses to community questions is below.

Feedback received

We received positive feedback noting the proposal would create a safer place for people crossing.
Thank you for your feedback and glad to hear the proposal will improve the safety of residents and road users.
Concern the crossing would not be used or only used for short periods during school days, or that drivers know there is a school nearby and already drive accordingly.
This project addresses safety concerns for vulnerable people crossing on a busy road with a high number of heavy vehicles. Numerous site observations and discussions with the school have indicated this location is the ‘pedestrian desire line’ – the shortest and most comfortable route for a person to walk between two places, particularly for school children.
It also formally prioritizes people crossing where vehicles are legally required to give way. Currently, the red surfacing gives the impression of an unofficial courtesy crossing, and gives mixed messages to drivers and people walking. Pedestrians, especially younger children, may have the impression that they have the right of way.
Concerns there are other safety issues like those using the crossing without looking and suggestions that the school talks to all students and staff through compulsory sessions at the start of each year with instruction on the rules for people and vehicles around pedestrian crossings.
The school is using it as an informal crossing in order to guide their students across the road, which is unsafe as there are no signs or facilities in place to prioritize pedestrians and inform drivers. The proposed zebra crossing is a formalised crossing where vehicles are legally required to give way to people walking. Appropriate signs and facilities will be in installed to inform drivers. The school has informed us they will train their students, especially in the younger age group, to cross at the proposed location and to be vigilant of their surroundings.
Suggestion to remove the raised element of the crossing as the traffic rules relating to the pedestrian crossing are quite clear.
Pedestrian crossings on a raised table are the standard design for a 50km per hour road. The raised table reduces the speed of approaching drivers which improves the safety of people crossing.
Concern the broken yellow lines are too extensive as it will put more pressure on Campbell Drive’s on-street parking. As a result, this would cause students to have limited areas to park and, therefore, could block driveways. Suggests to install limit lines on Campbell Drive to alleviate this issue.
The proposed broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) are not removing any parking spaces as these locations are not appropriate for vehicles to park. No vehicles have been observed to be parking at this location during numerous site observations, therefore, we believe there will be minimal impact on the shift of parking to Campbell Drive. Parking within 1 metre of a driveway is illegal which is subject to enforcement. A limit line is not necessary as Campbell Drive already has a limit line as part of the Give-Way control at the intersection.
Suggestion to move the crossing to various locations:
- Farther away from Morrison Road or farther east towards SH1.
  The proposed location is the most practical location to construct a crossing given the ‘pedestrian desire line’ – the shortest and most comfortable route for a person to walk between two places, as well as physical constraints, such as driveways. There will be signs to inform drivers of the crossing when coming out of Morrison Drive. Furthermore, the crossing is raised which lowers the approach speeds of vehicles in the vicinity.
- Closer to the residential area of Mason Heights.
  Our investigations have shown the current proposed location is in the most optimal location for pedestrians to cross. The area in the vicinity of Mason Heights does not exhibit the pedestrian demand to warrant a crossing at this point in time.

Other issues raised

Suggestion that all raised pedestrian areas in Warkworth be made into proper pedestrian crossings as there is too much uncertainty around raised crossings where cars have the right of way.
This will be passed onto the appropriate team to investigate.
Suggestion to upgrade the Campbell Drive pedestrian crossing as there have been multiple crashes into the steel barrier.
This will be passed onto the appropriate team to investigate.
Concern that trucks occasionally spill their loads on 48 Woodcocks Road’s driveway which needs regular removal.
Please continue to inform AT as usual when this occurs.
Concern about the excessive speeds of vehicles between Mansel Drive and the intersection with SH1. It appears to have little monitoring by Police for enforcing speed.
The pedestrian crossing on a raised speed table will help lower the speed along this section.
Suggestion that the potholes and failing tarmac be fixed on Sandspit and Mahurangi East Roads.
This will be passed onto the appropriate team to investigate.