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Finlayson Avenue and Ngatira Place intersection, Clendon Park – Pedestrian Safety Improvements Finlayson Avenue and Ngatira Place intersection, Clendon Park – Pedestrian Safety Improvements

Proposal status: Feedback closed

Reference number: 20100575

Proposal outcome

In November 2022, we proposed changes to improve road crossing safety for pedestrians and cyclists at Finlayson Avenue, Clendon Park.

After reviewing all the feedback that was received, we are proceeding with the following minor change:

The location of the raised zebra crossing will be shifted a further 4 metres away from the entrance to the Marae car park so the total distance from the car park entrance is 9 metres. This change to the design aims to minimise any potential disruption to the Marae’s day-to-day operations while keeping the crossing location close to where most people cross the road. These works will help support Tāmaki Makaurau’s Vision Zero goal.

(Download the updated drawing for Finlayson Avenue and Ngatira Place intersection PDF 540KB)

What happens next

We anticipate the changes will be constructed in August 2023. We will be in touch with local residents and businesses prior to any construction taking place.

Community feedback

Thank you for helping us make better decisions for your neighbourhood, informed by your local knowledge. Thank you to Manurewa Marae for their support and acceptance of this proposal. The following is a summary of your feedback and our responses to community questions.

Parking

Community feedback: Concern that the removal of 21 parking spaces will cause congestion between the Marae and community homes and that the removal of car parks directly outside Manurewa Marae is a mistake due to the need for kaumātua and our disabled whanau coming to the marae.

Our response: The removal of parking spaces is required to improve safety and visibility for pedestrians especially our kaumātua, tamariki, cyclists and motorists. We understand the removal of parking can be inconvenient, so we have minimised it as much as possible while still creating a safer road and crossing facilities for pedestrians.

Concern about the loss of 13 parking spaces outside the Marae

  • Ensures oncoming vehicles have sufficient visibility of pedestrians using the crossing and hence have enough time to stop

Concern about the loss of 4 parking spaces next to the bus stops

  • This is to help give vehicles enough space to freely move around the new pedestrian crossing

Concern about the loss of 4 parking spaces near the Ngatira Place intersection

  • To improve visibility for pedestrians crossing at this intersection

Concern that parked cars impinge on the waste removal trucks trying to empty bins on rubbish days.

  • The broken yellow lines will resolve this issue however, the parking situation will be monitored post-implementation.

Speed bumps

Community feedback: Concern that emergency services use this route regularly and will slow them down. Suggestion to stop putting in speed bumps and use it to fix potholes.

Our response: Finlayson Avenue is not identified as a critical emergency route for emergency services (based on maps provided by Fire & Emergency New Zealand (FENZ)). FENZ has been consulted and they had no concerns with the design.

Community feedback: Concern that the raised crossing will reduce the speed below 30km/h.

Our response: Given the proximity of the crossing to a school (Te Wharekura O Manurewa), the raised crossing design will further improve pedestrian safety (especially for our tamariki).

Raised crossings are an effective way of slowing vehicles down to 30km/h or less which significantly reduces the risk of a death or serious injury when an accident happens. Research indicates that the death risk is about 4-5 times higher in collisions between a car and a pedestrian on foot at 50km/h compared to the same type of collisions at 30km/h.

It will also:

  • Raise pedestrians, especially our tamariki and kaumatua, crossing the road to be at eye-level of approaching motorists, making 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.

Driving 

Community feedback: Concern that there are blind spots when turning at the bend coming up to the crossing. 

Our response: We have considered this and revised the design with a minor change.

Miscellaneous

Community feedback: Request to fix the footpath. 

Our response: The section of the damaged footpath directly outside the Marae (next to the tree) will be fixed as part of these works. We have also raised an incident case for the broken footpaths along Finlayson Avenue to the relevant department.

Should you wish to receive an update please refer to this case number: CRM:000042821479.

Community feedback: Suggestion that this is not a high or dangerous traffic control area.

Our response: Students regularly cross outside the Marae rather than use the existing pedestrian island. This poses a high safety risk in the area, especially in peak traffic periods. These changes we have proposed aim to reduce this risk.

We're proposing improvements in your area

Based on community feedback, your local board has nominated your area for improvements. Manurewa local board are proposing to improve pedestrian safety outside Manurewa Marae and at the Ngatira Place and Finlayson Avenue intersection. With the Marae, Te Wharekura O Manurewa, and two bus stops all nearby, there are many pedestrians, especially children, crossing Finlayson Avenue.

We are proposing to:

  • Construct a raised zebra crossing outside 81 Finlayson Avenue, Clendon Park (Manurewa Marae). This is a zebra crossing raised to the height of the footpath with long off ramps for a smoother drive.
  • Install raised traffic islands in the middle of the crossing to separate the two lanes of traffic and provide additional safety for people crossing Finlayson Avenue.
  • Upgrade the kerb ramps at the intersection of Ngatira Place and Finlayson Avenue so that people can move easily between the footpath and the road.
  • Install tactile pavers at road crossing points, which are yellow guidance paving markers to assist the visually impaired people find their way to crossings and safely across roads.
  • Paint broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) at the intersection of Ngatira Place and Finlayson Avenue, outside 81 Finlayson Avenue, and a short section at 76R Finlayson Avenue.

Download the proposal drawing for Finlayson Avenue and Ngatira Place intersection (PDF 523KB)

Auckland Transport would like to work with you to deliver safer roads in your neighbourhood. The proposed changes aim to provide a safe crossing location for rangatahi and their whānau to access Manurewa Marae and nearby bus stops.

These improvements would remove 21 on-street parking spaces. We understand removing parking can be inconvenient, so we have tried to minimise it as much as possible while still improving visibility of pedestrians crossing the road and other road users.

Focus on Road Safety – Local Board Capital Transport Fund

This project is funded by the Local Board Transport Capital Fund. The fund is used to make improvements based on community priorities, which may not be covered by other programmes of work. The improvements will be delivered by Auckland Transport on behalf of your local board

Manurewa: 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 Finlayson 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).