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Slippery Creek Bridge, Great South Road, Drury – New footbridge Slippery Creek Bridge, Great South Road, Drury – New footbridge

Proposal status: Feedback closed 22 September 2020

Reference number: RI1920-001

In September 2020, we proposed changes in your area

To improve safety for people walking, we proposed installing a new footbridge to Slippery Creek Bridge in Drury. We know that there are currently no pedestrian facilities on the western side of the bridge and due to the ongoing housing developments, there is an increasing demand for pedestrian facilities. Children are walking to school in the area and we want to ensure that they get to and from school safely. Our proposal aims to improve safety for people, particularly children, by providing a safe link to nearby schools.

The changes we proposed: 

  • Install a new clip-on footbridge to the western side of Slippery Creek Bridge.
  • Construct a new footpath linking to the footbridge.
  • Remove one small bush from the berm (the grass strip next to the road) outside Slippery Creek Reserve to provide space for the new footpath and provide greater visibility between pedestrians and vehicles.

More information

  • A clip-on footbridge is a footbridge that joins to the side of an existing bridge and is not a standalone bridge. The footbridge will be 3m wide which will be used as a shared path for both pedestrians and cyclists.
  • In addition to the proposed clip-on footbridge, other options have been considered and assessed during the feasibility stage of the project including;
    • installing pedestrian crossings at either end of the bridge – This is not a sustainable solution as the footpath gap would remain on the western side of the bridge and pedestrians would be required to cross the road
    • constructing a new standalone footbridge – This option would require higher costs and is likely to create more significant effects on the environment, while the additional benefit is negligible when compared to the proposed clip-on footbridge
    • bridge deck widening – This option is associated with a risk that the internal beam of the existing bridge could not carry the increased load and would be more costly as major traffic management is required during construction
    • building a new bridge – This option will be considered in the long term due to significant costs and planning involved.

Download the proposal drawing for Slippery Creek Bridge (PDF 300KB) 

Proposal outcome

Once the budget is confirmed, the proposal will proceed without changes to the next stage of detailed planning before being constructed.

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on AT and the wider Auckland Council whanau. As a result, Auckland Council is implementing an Emergency Budget which will reduce AT’s capital and operating budgets. This could mean this project is delayed. We will be in touch with you when we know more about how this project will be impacted by the current budget constraints.

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.

Community feedback

  • 96% of people supported the proposal, noting that it is currently dangerous to cross Great South Road and that the proposed changes will benefit the community by providing a safe place for people to walk especially for school children to walk to Drury School. Thank you for your feedback.
  • Suggestion for a separate space for people on bicycles on both sides of the bridge. The proposed ‘clip-on’ footbridge will be used as a shared path for both pedestrians and cyclists. Due to the current width of the existing bridge it is not feasible to provide a separate cycle path on the eastern side
  • Suggestion for clip-on footpaths on both sides of the bridge to separate heavy vehicles and pedestrians. There is already an existing footpath on the eastern side of the bridge. At this stage, there is no immediate demand that would justify the significant cost to further widen the bridge.
  • Suggestion for non-slip grip on the timber to prevent people from slipping if it is wet. We will consider the decking material during detailed design and ensure the surface is both high friction and pedestrian/cycle friendly.
  • Query if the footpath (around blocks 135-137) can be wider. The footpath width at this location is an extension of the existing width and is the standard width AT adopts for new footpaths.
  • Suggestion for a patrolled school crossing on Sutton Road as it is an extremely busy road. AT is currently working with Drury School and affected stakeholders to investigate a new pedestrian crossing on Sutton Road. Once a feasible solution is agreed and confirmed, it will be communicated to the public with further details.
  • Suggestion to consider the Ramarama roundabout and foot traffic to Ramarama School. There is a project currently under construction to install footpaths and a pedestrian crossing near Ramarama School to enhance safety for children walking to and from the school. Find out more information about the Ararimu Road Ramarama safety improvements project.
  • Request for the cost of the footpath up-grade part of this project. The cost of the project is still largely subject to detailed design, which will be undertaken over the next few months.

Next steps

We will be in touch with you when we know more about how this project will be impacted by the current budget constraints.

Once funding is secured, our contractors will send notices to residents or businesses affected by works 48 hours before the work starts.

Drury: 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 Great South 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).