Station Road, Pukekohe - Footpath and parking improvements Station Road, Pukekohe - Footpath and parking improvements

Parking

• Respondents concerned that there is not enough parking available. Suggested to change the proposed parking along Station Road to angled parking or perpendicular parking to increase the amount of spaces available. Other options were considered and assessed such as angle parking and perpendicular parking during our initial investigations. However, the extent of works associated with these options are quite significant. Due to this we, along with the Franklin Local Board, considered these options not to be feasible at this time.
• Respondents suggested extending the widths of Station Road and Birch Road, by covering up the drains and ditches, or using the grass verge, to provide more space for angled or perpendicular parking. These options were considered during our initial investigations. However, the extent of works associated with these options are quite significant. Due to this we, along with the Franklin Local Board, considered these options not to be feasible at this time.
• Respondents requested more park and ride facilities be created in some unused spaces in the area. We are unable to accommodate park and ride facilities as part of this proposal. However, they may be considered in the future to accommodate projected population growth in this area.
• Respondent requested P120 parking outside 40-46 Station Road, like on Carlton Road. We are unable to accommodate this request as part of this project. However, your request will be referred to our Parking Design team to investigate further.

Road safety

• Respondents very concerned at how dangerous it is for drivers exiting Marvel Way and Castelle Lane on to Birch Road, due to the lack of visibility caused by parked vehicles, including trucks. Requested more broken yellow line (no stopping at all time) restrictions along both sides of Birch Road to improve residents’ safety as there have been many near misses and some minor traffic accidents. The proposal includes some new broken yellow line (no stopping at all time) restrictions and hockey stick markings along Birch Road, which we anticipate will improve visibility for drivers exiting Marvel Way and Castelle Lane. However, we will review the requirement for further parking restrictions to improve the safety of drivers during our detailed design phase.
• Respondent suggested adding a roundabout to the intersection with Birch Road as vehicles are making dangerous U-turns here in order to park on the A&P Showgrounds side of the road. It is not possible to install a roundabout at this location due to heavy trucks needing access at this intersection for Pukekohe Timber. We are proposing to install a new traffic island to provide a safe crossing facility for pedestrians. This traffic island will also make the U-turn manoeuvre more difficult and discourage this behaviour i.e, the vehicles are more likely to come from the other direction (East Road), rather than Subway Road, to park on A&P Showground side of Station Road.

Footpaths

• Respondent requested that the footpath be extended on the western side of Station Road, north of the train station, to connect to the existing footpath network outside the Franklin Club. This would improve the safety of people walking to and from their parked cars. This extension of the footpath is unable to be accommodated as part of this project. However, your request will be passed on to the relevant teams to be considered as a future project.

Speed measures

• Respondents suggested various speed reducing measures:
  • Reducing the speed limit to allow drivers to safely move out of parking spots.
  • Addition of variable speed signs that could be used during peak times in the morning and afternoon.
  • Installation of speed humps.
  The setting of speed limits, and other speed reducing measures, are not part of this proposal, however we will continue to monitor the area following implementation to determine whether changes are needed.

Carlton Road improvements

• Respondent requested that car parking be marked out on Carlton Road as drivers regularly block driveways and make entering and exiting very difficult for residents. We are unable to accommodate this request as part of our project. However, your request will be passed on to the relevant teams to investigate further.
  Please also contact our parking enforcement team if vehicles are obstructing entry to or exit from any driveway.
• We will continue to monitor the safety performance of Station Road following implementation to determine whether any improvements are needed. We will put any additional measures in to mitigate any issues that may arise following the changes. Respondent concerned that driver visibility exiting Carlton Road is very poor. Additionally, many vehicles are making dangerous U-turns at this intersection.
  Carlton Road is not part of this project; however, your concerns will be passed on to the relevant teams to investigate further.
  We also encourage you to contact us with more information about times and locations if dangerous turning manoeuvres are frequently seen at this intersection. This will enable us to conduct a targeted investigation.

Enquires

• Respondent enquired if this work will cause more flooding under the railway bridge on Subway Road. The changes involved in this proposal will not have an impact on the existing situation under the railway bridge.
• Respondent requested information on how the stormwater will be treated and discharged, and if the drains will be piped. The proposal includes construction of a new kerb and channel, with cesspits and pipes that will drain stormwater into the existing ditch drains.
• Respondent enquired if security cameras will be installed to tackle car theft and damage. Security cameras are not being installed as part of this project. However, we will pass this on to the relevant teams in AT to be considered.
• Respondent enquired about street lighting in the area to improve safety. Lighting improvements will be implemented as part of this project. We will be providing lighting on the A&P Showground’s side of the road. The streetlights will be located behind the new footpath and the illuminance level will be upgraded so that it provides adequate lighting for the footpaths on both sides of the road.
• Respondent requested that the south side of Birch Road needs to be properly formed, sealed and kerbed to provide an actual 2 lane road. The upgrade of Birch road is not part of this project due to the extent of the works required. However, we will pass this on to the relevant team to investigate further.
• Respondent concerned that heavy vehicles has been given priority over the needs of residents in this proposal. The residential areas of Station Road and Birch Road are not suitable for heavy vehicles, and they should be encouraged to use Manukau Road and East Street. The road is too narrow, especially with cars parked. Our proposal is about improving the parking infrastructure in the area, and increasing pedestrian safety by installing footpaths to connect to the train station. There are currently some heavy vehicles using Station Road and Birch Road, due to the nature of some of the industry located here. However, we will pass your feedback on to the relevant teams to investigate this issue further.
• Respondent requested the bus to run though the Belmont subdivision off Puni Road, to help with the parking issues. We are unable to accommodate adjusting bus routes as part of this proposal. However, we will pass this request to AT Metro for consideration.