Ormiston Road and Valderama Drive, Flat Bush - Intersection improvements Ormiston Road and Valderama Drive, Flat Bush - Intersection improvements
Proposal status: Closed
Reference number: RI1920-002
Proposal update
In November 2023, we contacted you about the proposal outcome to improve the safety and efficiency of the Ormiston Road/Valderama Drive intersection as more people move into the area. This project is still going ahead, but we wish to inform you of an addition to the design:
We are adding approximately 6m of broken yellow lines to the existing broken yellow lines at the Tipu Road/Peihinga Road intersection.
Construction is now planned for Mid-2024.
Download the updated proposal drawing (PDF 1.56MB)
Proposal outcome
In February 2022, we proposed changes at Ormiston Road and Valderama Drive in Flat Bush and asked for community feedback. These changes were proposed following an AT investigation of the growing suburb. Our proposal aims to improve the safety and efficiency of the Ormiston - Valderma intersection as more people move into the area.
After reviewing all the feedback, we are proceeding with the proposal to the next stage of design, with a change in response to the community feedback. These works will help support our Vision Zero goal.
We will be reducing the length of the median barrier so there will be no barrier across the intersection of Wallen Road and Tamure Road with Ormiston Road. This change will still prohibit overall right turn movements over the multilane section of the road. This will improve safety for everyone on the road while ensuring that nearby residents have easy access to Ormiston Road where it is a single lane and safer for right turn movements.
Download the updated proposal drawing. (PDF 561KB)
Community feedback
Most residents supported the proposed changes. Many told us that the traffic signals would make the Ormiston-Valderama intersection safer, while others told us that the lights will make the intersection more efficient.
We heard a number of concerns about potential congestion and the median barrier. Residents also gave us some suggestions about ways to improve the cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings in the area.
Here is a summary of these concerns and other comments and queries from the community, and our responses to them:
Intersection improvements
- Concern that the traffic lights will create congestion.
The Flat Bush community is growing fast. The proposed traffic signals will upgrade the intersection so it can accommodate the rising number of vehicles travelling on Ormiston Road. The signals aim to improve the flow of traffic from the side roads and give pedestrians and cyclists safe ways to move through the intersection.
Our traffic analysis has shown that the predicted delay for Ormiston Road will be within an acceptable range, similar to the existing signalised intersections nearby. - Concern there are already too many traffic lights on Ormiston Road.
The nearest signalised intersection is the intersection of Murphys Road and Ormiston Road, approximately 450 m to the west. There is no signalised intersection to the east.
The traffic signals at this location are necessary for the safe and efficient movement of vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. - Concerned the traffic lights are unnecessary for the number of cars that drive through it.
Valderama Drive is a bus route and connects to Mission Heights Primary and Intermediate Schools. Ttraffic volumes are also growing quickly due to the surrounding residential developments. The traffic signals are necessary to provide for the safe and efficient movements of vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. - Concern the proposal will devalue the surrounding properties due to congestion and noise.
The signals will not create significant congestion or noise that is likely to devalue surrounding properties. The traffic signals are necessary to provide for the safe and efficient movements of vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, which is expected to directly benefit the residents of the surrounding properties. - Suggestion to also install traffic light intersections at Ormiston Road’s intersections with Azzurro Way and Tipu Road, and Wallen Road and Tamure Road.
Valderama Drive carries much higher traffic volumes than Azzurro Way and Tipu Road, and Wallen Road and Tamure Road. It is a key connector within the local community. We expect the other side roads along this stretch of Ormiston Road to also benefit from the new traffic signals at Valderama Drive, which will rpovide safe and efficient access on to and from Ormiston Road. - Suggestion to introduce two lanes at the intersection from Valderama Drive that can both turn to Ormiston Town Centre.
Our traffic analysis has indicated that the proposed single right turn lane on Valderama Drive is enough to meet demand, and that providing two right turn lanes would offer no additional benefit.
Solid median
- Concern that the median barrier will create congestion at the Valderama intersection.
Left turns off of Ormiston Road will still be permitted at all side roads. Some of the right turn movements will be deviated to use the new traffic signals at Valderama Drive, which provides a safe and efficient access to and from Ormiston Road. The new signals have sufficient capacity to cater for the additional traffic deviated from the side roads. - Suggestion that the median barrier should not be installed.
The median barrier is necessary to maintain the safety and efficiency of traffic on both Ormiston Road and the side roads by limiting the number of right turns over multiple lanes of traffic as more people more around and into the area. This will also provide safety benefit to cyclists and pedestrians on the road. The new signals at Valderama Drive will provide safe and efficient access to and from Ormiston Road. - Suggestion that the barrier needs to allow right turns into Azzurro Way and Tipu Road from Ormiston Road.
At the Azzurro Way and Tipu Road intersection, there are two traffic lanes with a cycle lane in each direction on Ormiston Road. It is also closer to the new traffic signals at Valderama Drive. Installing the median barrier has been proposed as right turns at the Azzuro and Tipu intersection would experience greater delays and pose higher safety risks. - Concern that the median barrier should not extend to Wallen Road, as there would only be one access way for all motorists going towards Murphys Road and the school. Some respondents noted there is more development on Fricker Way and Hing Street, which will increase the traffic.
At Wallen Road, there is a single traffic lane with cycle lanes in each direction. The location is also further away from Valderama Drive, where the expected delays and safety risks to right turns would be lower. That's why we will remove the solid median through this intersection and retain the right turn movements into and out of Wallen Road.
Tamure Road already has a right turn ban, which will be retained. - Concern that the extra travel required by the proposed median will increase the safety risks for residents.
Only a small amount of traffic will need to be deviated through the local streets. The local streets have sufficient capacity to cater for the traffic safely and efficiently.
Other suggestions
- Request for a pedestrian crossing at the Wallen-Ormiston intersection.
We have not identified a strong demand or desire line for pedestrians to cross Ormiston Road at this location. The new traffic signals at Valderama Drive will provide protected pedestrian crossings that are directly linked to key pedestrian-generating activities, such as the schools. - Suggestion that more street trees should be planted along Ormiston Road.
As part of the project, we will plant 3 trees on Ormiston Road, which will be adequately spaced. - Suggestion that the bike lanes need to be maintained as there are often rocks and debris on the cycle lane.
All cycle lanes need to be kept clear of debris in order to remain usable. If you notice the build up of debris or branches falling onto the cycle lanes following strong winds, please report the issue to us so that our maintenance team can clear it.
You can report maintenance issues through our website or by phoning us at 09 355 3553. - Suggestion to add a barrier or cycle lane separators along the cycle lanes on Ormiston Rd.
This section of Ormiston Road is on the list for pop-up cycle protection under our Minor Cycling programme, where physical separators will be installed on existing cycle lanes. As part of our commitment to low-carbon transport options, this initiative will improve safety for people on bikes and aims to get more Aucklanders using active modes of transport. We will incorporate the pop-up cycle protection within this project for design and delivery. - Suggestion to review the Murphys Road and Redoubt Road intersection instead.
The Murphys Road and Redoubt Road intersection is on the Mill Road Corridor project, which is part of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme managed by Waka Kotahi (New Zealand Transport Agency). Learn more about the Mill Road Corridor project. - Suggestion to install fencing or barriers along Ormiston Road to keep homes and pedestrians safe in the case of a run-off-road crash.
Ormiston Road is mostly straight and the likelihood of run-off-road crashes is relatively low. The proposed median barrier and cycle lane separators will add more safety protection to road users and residents on Ormiston Road. - Request for more signs that Ormiston Road is 50 km/h, more speed cameras, and red light cameras.
Ormiston Road currently has a 60km/h speed limit. However, public consultation is currently underway to reduce the speed limit to 50km/h as part of the Safer Speeds Programme – Phase Three. - Suggestion that more pedestrian crossings are needed along Ormiston Road, for example, by Rienzo Drive and by Azurro Way.
We have not identified a strong demand or desire line for pedestrians to cross Ormiston Road at these locations. The new traffic signals at Valderama Drive will provide protected pedestrian crossings that are directly linked to key pedestrian generating activities, such as the schools. - Suggestion for a roundabout by Rienzo Drive and or Azurro Way.
Valderama Drive carries much higher traffic volumes than Azzurro Way or Rienzo Drive and serves as a key connector within the local community. We expect other side roads along this stretch of Ormiston Road to also benefit from the new traffic signals at Valderama Drive, which will provide safe and efficient access on to and from Ormiston Road.
We're proposing improvements in your area
We are proposing to improve road safety and traffic efficiency by upgrading the intersection of Ormiston Road and Valderama Drive.
We are proposing to:
- Install traffic lights at the intersection of Ormiston Road and Valderama Drive.
- Install pedestrian crossings with crossing lights and tactile pavers (yellow paving markers that help visually impaired people find their way) across all four crossing points at the intersection.
- Install a median barrier along the centre of Ormiston Road from Murphys Road up to Wallen Road to prevent right turns into and out of several side roads, including Rienzo Drive, Azzuro Way, Tipu Road, Wallen Road and Tamure Road.
- Paint new road markings to create three lanes on Ormiston Road: A shared through-and-left-turn lane, a dedicated through lane, and a right turn lane. The two lanes on Valderama Drive would be a shared through-and-left-turn lane and a right turn lane.
- Install on-road cycle lanes and cycle stop boxes on Ormiston Road. Cycle stop boxes are green boxes painted with a bicycle symbol where cyclists can wait before the lights. These changes will improve road safety by making cyclists more visible to people in vehicles.
- Plant replacement trees along Ormiston Road.
- Remove two car parking spaces at the north end of Valderama Drive so vehicles can queue and safely turn at the intersection.
Download the proposal drawing for Ormiston Road and Valderama Drive. (PDF 294KB)
The Flat Bush community is growing quickly. These changes will upgrade the intersection and help it accommodate the increasing number of vehicles on Ormiston Road. These changes aim to improve the flow of traffic and driver, pedestrian, and cyclist safety in your community.
The installation of the traffic lights and centre median barrier may affect residents' driving habits. We understand that this may be inconsiderate. However, we proposed these changes to put the safety of people travelling on Ormiston Road and side roads first.
Installing the centre median barrier will improve safety for road users by reducing the number of vehicles turning across multiple lanes on Ormiston Road. Drivers who usually make these right turns into side streets will be able to safely and efficiently access the other side of Ormiston Road through the new signalised intersection at Valderama Drive.
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.
Flat Bush: 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 Ormiston Road and Valderama Drive 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).