Kelpie Lane, Otara – Broken Yellow Lines Kelpie Lane, Otara – Broken Yellow Lines

Proposal status: Feedback closed 12 February 2021

Reference number: BYL-487

Proposal outcome

In January 2021, we proposed changes to improve access on Kelpie Lane in Otara. This proposal originated in response to a community request to improve vehicle access at this location. After reviewing all of the feedback received and meeting with the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board, we have decided to proceed with the work as proposed. These broken yellow line restrictions are necessary to ensure that emergency services vehicles can access Kelpie Lane, which is not currently possible due to parked vehicles, and is a health and safety issue that must be addressed.

These works will help support our Vision Zero goal.

What happens next

We anticipate the changes will be implemented by the end of September 2021. It will take one day to paint the broken yellow lines in good weather conditions.

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.

We received mixed feedback on this proposal, with some responses objecting to the loss of parking and beliefs that there are no access issues in this location. Some feedback we received supported the proposal, however requested that broken yellow lines be painted on both sides of Kelpie Lane. Auckland Transport appreciates that the loss of any parking spaces in this industrial may be inconvenient to businesses and staff. These broken yellow lines on one side of Kelpie Lane balance the need to allow for emergency services vehicle access, whilst minimising the parking loss in the area. Therefore, we have opted to only restrict parking on one side of Kelpie Lane, resulting in the loss of 8 parking spaces, instead of restricting both sides as some feedback suggested.

Broken Yellow Lines

Suggestion to paint broken yellow lines on the opposite side of the road as the proposal will affect their business.
We considered this as an option however, it would result in the removal of more parking spaces.
Suggestions for broken yellow lines to be painted on both sides of Kelpie Lane as it is difficult driving down the lane.
The proposal intends to improve access on Kelpie Lane. Painting broken yellow lines on both sides of the lane would result in removal of more parking spaces, which is not required at this stage.
Suggestion for the broken yellow lines to be extended to right outside the entrance of the church as parked cars are causing access issues to the church at the weekends.
Broken yellow lines are already in place around the intersection of Kelpie Lane and Lovegrove Crescent and also Hayman Street and Lovegrove Crescent close to the church. We feel that maintaining some on-street parking is important and that there is no justification to extend the markings at this stage.

Parking Removal

Multiple mentions that one of the businesses uses both sides of the lane to park cars that they are working on. Mentions that there is often broken glass from windshields lying on the road and other car parts.
On-street parking is available to anyone on a first come, first serve basis. Any other issues such as broken glass on the road should be reported directly to Auckland Council or the Police when they occur.
Multiple concerns with the parking removal, especially as parking has already been removed on Bairds Road (e.g. outside Mikes Roast) and this negatively affects businesses.
We understand your concern with the removal of parking however, it is important to understand that the primary objective of any road is to provide access to any vehicle, including emergency vehicles, to the properties/businesses on that road. This proposal intends to improve access on Kelpie Lane as it is a narrow road. It will also improve access for businesses located on Bairds Road when using their carparks at the back of their buildings which are currently often blocked by parked vehicles. Moreover, parking will still be available on one side of Kelpie Lane.
Concern the proposal is not needed as not many people use the lane and it is used for parking by customers to local businesses.
We understand that parking may be in high demand on this lane by customers. However, it is important to understand that primary objective of any road is to provide access to the properties on that road, thus making parking an additional asset a road can offer. Therefore, improving access for vehicles, including emergency vehicles, is important on this narrow road. In addition, parking will still remain on the other side of the lane which can be used by anyone.
Query regarding where people with disabilities can park as the allocated parking spaces are only within the town centre.
Mobility parking spaces are introduced where they have a wide spread demand thus it is usually installed in the town centres, near transport hubs and/or outside hospitals and medical centres. This also ensures that they are situated at the locations which are safer to use. Therefore, we do not consider Kelpie Lane to be an appropriate location for proposing disabled parking.
Mentions that removal of parking will not improve safety.
The proposal intends to improve access on Kelpie Lane for any vehicle, including emergency vehicles, and does contribute to a safer road environment.

Concern the parking removal will detract people from using the town centre as there is not enough parking.
The proposal intends to improve access on Kelpie Lane by removing parking on one side however, parking will still remain on other side of the road. Auckland Transport always advise not to rely on on-street parking as it can be removed completely or redesigned to align with strategic objectives of a street or area. We also encourage the use of public transport and other modes of transport such as walking and cycling to travel to destinations.
Suggestion to have parking time restrictions instead.
Parking time restrictions are considered ineffective on a narrow road and will not improve access issues as vehicles will still be able to park on both sides of the road. Therefore, broken yellow lines were proposed as they are considered an appropriate control to improve access.

Otara Town Centre

Respondent expresses dissatisfaction with Otara shopping centre and requests improvements.
This proposal seeks to address a specific objective and does not seek to initiate a town centre upgrade.
Mentions that the new roundabout and extra pedestrian crossings are inconvenient rather than useful.
We appreciate your opinion on these newly built interventions however, Auckland Transport introduces these based on evidence and we feel that these interventions contribute to an improved pedestrian experience, especially for more vulnerable users such as children or the elderly.

Other

Concern this proposal does not address the issue and that it will be passed on to neighbouring streets.
The proposal intends to improve access on Kelpie Lane. We understand that this type of proposal can displace parking however, it will not be a major shift as only 8 spaces are proposed to be removed. In addition, parking will still remain on the other side of the road.
Concern the proposal is a waste of money.
The objective of the proposal is to improve access for any vehicle on Kelpie Lane, including for emergency vehicles. We feel that it is important to improve access on roads, especially narrow roads such as Kelpie Lane.
Mentions that there is no issue and that very little traffic uses the lane.
We appreciate your opinion on the issue however, accessibility issues were observed during our onsite investigations, and were also noted within feedback received.
Mentions that the lane should only be used by workshop workers and that the public uses the main road.
Kelpie Lane is a public road and can be used by any member of the public.

We're proposing improvements in your area

Aucklanders have told us that moving around our city safely and easily is important to them. We are proposing some improvements to your area.

We would like to improve access on this narrow lane by painting broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) along Kelpie Lane and are asking for your views.

The changes we are proposing:

Paint broken yellow lines along Kelpie Lane. This will remove approximately 9 on-street parking spaces.

Auckland Transport would like to work with you to deliver safer roads in your neighbourhood. We were asked by local businesses to address the issue of cars parking on both sides of this narrow lane blocking access. The addition of broken yellow lines will improve access for all vehicles and will prevent people from illegally parking in front of vehicle entrances. To reduce the impact of parking loss, we have proposed the majority of broken yellow lines along one side of the road. We understand removing parking can be inconvenient and have minimised the number of parking spaces removed while also providing clear access.

Download the proposal drawing for Kelpie Lane (PDF 240KB)

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.

Otara: 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 Kelpie Lane 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).