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Puni Road, Pukekohe – Pedestrian Improvements Puni Road, Pukekohe – Pedestrian Improvements

Proposal status: Closed

Reference number: RSU2021-067

Proposal outcome

In October 2021, we proposed changes to improve pedestrian safety on Puni Road, Pukekohe. These changes were proposed as the site has no crossing facilities but has a high pedestrian crossing demand. After reviewing all the feedback, we are proceeding with the work as proposed.

These works will help support our Vision Zero goal.

What happens next

We anticipate the changes will be constructed in this financial year ending June 2022. 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. The majority of respondents supported this proposal. Here is a summary of the additional comments and queries we received, and our responses to them:

Proposed crossings and side islands

  • Puni Road is a main road and used by emergency response vehicles.
    This project supports our Vision Zero strategy of minimising death and serious injuries in our transport system. The selected location is next to Parkview Estate Lifestyle Village and on a route to school used by many young children. The proposed changes will improve safety for more vulnerable road users, including people walking or cycling, children and the elderly.
  • The proposed crossing is too close to the Beresford Street and Puni Road intersection. Install the proposed Puni Road crossing to the south of Beresford Street.
    The crossing location is approximately 35m north of the Puni Road and Beresford Street intersection, so it will not interfere with vehicles turning in and out of Beresford Street. The raised crossing aims to reduce speeding in the area, which will help drivers select the right gap turning into and out of Beresford Street.

    Approximately 25 children cross Puni Road adjacent to Beresford Street at the start of the school day, with 45 crossing at the end of the school day. The crossing location will benefit the pedestrian traffic generated by the local school and the Parkview Estate Lifestyle Village. Pukekohe Hill School supports this proposal and we will be working with the school to encourage students to cross at the crossing.
  • The proposed changes will disrupt the flow of traffic and increase congestion.
    We aim to provide a safe place for pedestrians to cross, and encourage safe and appropriate speeds. We believed that the raised crossing will achieve these goals and allow traffic to flow efficiently. We do not expect a significant delay due to the installation of the raised zebra crossing. 
  • The proposal will create a blind spot coming out of Beresford Street.
    During the investigation stage of this project, we checked the visibility in all directions at the Beresford Street and Puni Road intersection. It meets the required standards. The proposed raised crossing will make it safer to turn out of Beresford Street by slowing down drivers on the main road. 
  • Install a zebra crossing on Beresford Street at the location of the proposed traffic island.
    The upgraded pedestrian facilities on Beresford Street will reduce traffic speeds in the area and improve pedestrian safety. The proposed traffic islands will also help to slow down drivers on the approach to the crossing by narrowing the width of Beresford Street. Based on pedestrian survey data, the function of the road, and traffic volume, the proposed traffic island with the kerb extension on Beresford Street is appropriate. 
  • Create a gap between the road and the proposed side islands so that cyclists can continue travelling in a straight line rather than entering the traffic lane.
    We will consider different options that could replace the proposed side islands in the next stage of this project, the detail design stage. 
  • The proposed changes on Puni Road are not required.
    The pedestrian survey showed that 25 children cross Puni Road adjacent to Beresford Street at the start of the school day, with another 45 crossing at the end of the school day. Both Pukekohe Hill School and the residents of the Parkview Estate Lifestyle Village support this proposal, as it helps to reduce speeds in the area, improving safety for motorists and pedestrians.

    Regarding the proposed side islands, we will consider different ways to highlight the approaching 50km/h speed limit. 
  • The proposed changes on Beresford Street are not required.
    The existing crossing point on Beresford Street only provides kerb ramps, which does not meet the latest AT design requirements. We also expect more people crossing Beresford Street, so the proposed changes are required to improve pedestrian safety at this location. 
  • Remove the grass berm kerb extension.
    The grass berm kerb extension will make it safer to cross Beresford Street by reducing the crossing distance and promoting slower turning speeds.
  • The crossing should not be raised.
    Based on the surrounding environment and the number and type of pedestrians crossing Puni Road, raising the crossing is important to reduce traffic speeds in the area and improve safety for vulnerable road users, such as children and the elderly. 
  • Query about what side islands are used for.
    Side islands alert approaching drivers that the character of the surrounding area and speed limit are about to change.

Speed limit

  • Install the new 50km/h and 60km/h signs and road markings further south, such as at the location of the proposed side islands. Paint the side islands and the road between the side islands to show the speed limit.
    The 50km/h warning sign has been proposed to warn drivers of the changing speed limit. We will consider different options that could replace the proposed side islands along with the road markings in the next stage of this project, the detail design stage.
  • Have speed limit road markings on both lanes at the location of the speed signs.
    The 50km/h marking provides a warning to drivers that they are entering a slower speed environment. This advanced warning means that drivers will approach the raised crossing at a safer speed. However, this does not apply to motorists traveling into a higher speed environment and hence is not required.
  • Make the speed limit on Puni Road to Waiuku Road 50km/h. Extend the speed limit of 50km/h on Puni Road to Ward Street or Rowles Road.
    We are reviewing speed limits on our roads to identify where changes are needed with the Safe Speeds Programme. Due to its scope and scale, the programme is divided into multiple tranches. The prioritisation process considers factors such as the number of crashes, safety risk, traffic speed and land use.

    We prioritised a section of Puni Road for investigation as part of the first tranche of speed limit change. The speed limit on Puni Road was changed from 70km/h to 60km/h in June 2020. The speed limit will be monitored to see if further changes are required.
  • Install the speed limit sign south of 17 Puni Road.
    The current location of the speed limit signs meets the requirements listed in the Land Transport Rules and are considered appropriate. The speed limit sign and the 50km/h road marking also provide motorists with adequate advanced warning.

Surrounding area

  • Make improvements at the intersection of Puni Road, West Street and Jutland Roa,d including installing a pedestrian island or redefining the painted roundabout.
    This site is not included in the current project. However, we are working on intersection improvements for this location as part of a separate project.
  • Install a roundabout at the Ward Street and Puni Road intersection.
    The Ward Street and Puni Road intersection is outside the scope of this project, but we have added this location to our register for future investigation.

Other

  • Install a cycleway on Puni Road.
    This section of Puni Road is on a connector cycle route. This route is currently low in the hierarchy for installing a cycle network in the Auckland region. However, we have noted this request for consideration in the future.
  • Construct a separate road for west-bound traffic.
    This request is outside the scope of this project. Puni Road operates satisfactorily with no identified issues to segregate west bound traffic.
  • Install a pedestrian underpass.
    Underpass and overpass facilities are not pedestrian friendly as they do not provide direct routes to destinations, resulting which in them being underutilised. They also require a lot of space and a significant budget to construct, which cannot be justified at this location.
  • Query if there is enough space for buses to stop at the bus stop on Puni Road after the crossing.
    The nearest bus stop is located over 120m from the proposed crossing and therefore will not be affected by the changes.

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:  

  • Install a raised zebra crossing outside 9 Puni Road. The crossing will be raised to be flush with the footpath.
  • Install side islands, south of Beresford Street, on the approach to the raised zebra crossing to increase the awareness of the proposed crossing.
  • Install a pedestrian crossing on the west end of Beresford Street with a traffic island at the centre of the road. Pedestrians would not have the right of way at this crossing point, but the island would make it safer to cross a road by breaking up the journey.
  • Widen the grass berms on the corners of Puni Road and Beresford Street.
  • Paint broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) to maintain visibility between road users and pedestrians using the crossing. This will result in the loss of fourteen parking spaces on Puni Road and four parking spaces on Beresford Street.

Download proposal drawing (PDF 1.87MB)

Auckland Transport would like to work with you to deliver safer roads in your neighbourhood. We are proposing these changes as there are currently no crossing facilities at this location which has a high pedestrian crossing demand. These changes would provide a safe crossing path, help to reduce speeding, and is a preventative measure to reduce the risk of incidents in the area. Removing some on-street parking is necessary to support these changes. We understand removing parking can be inconvenient, so we have minimised the removal while maintaining good lines of sight for drivers and people wanting to cross the road.

What happens next

  • We’ll consider 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.

More information

  • This proposal is supported by the Auckland regional fuel tax.

Pukekohe: 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 Puni Road 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).