Waiau Pa Road, Waiau Pa – Pedestrian Improvements Waiau Pa Road, Waiau Pa – Pedestrian Improvements

Raised crossing

• Requests for an additional raised crossing to be installed on Mackenzie Road near the hall.  
  As part of our proposal, we are improving the kerb ramps at the Mackenzie Road/Waiau Pa Road intersection. A raised table crossing on Mackenzie Road was considered during our investigation at this location, however it was not preferred due to the high number of heavy vehicles using this intersection. Raised tables can be difficult for large and/or heavy vehicles to travel over. In addition, pedestrian survey data indicated that there were a very low number of pedestrians crossing Mackenzie Road (only two pedestrians during the peak hour 2:30pm-3:30pm) and therefore a raised crossing is not considered to be justified at this point in time.  
• Request for an additional raised crossing on Clarkes Beach Road outside of shops/fire station. The pedestrian survey undertaken in the area suggested that a higher number of pedestrians cross Waiau Pa Road at the proposed raised zebra crossing location than outside the shops/fire station. Given that the proposed raised crossing is only approximately 50m south of the shops/fire station, an additional raised crossing so close-by is considered unnecessary. 
• Concerns that without additional crossing points, there is no safe way for people to walk to the proposed raised crossing from their homes, as most residents still have to cross Mackenzie Road or Clarks Beach Road.  
  Our recent pedestrian survey shows the majority of pedestrians are crossing Waiau Pa Road at or near the existing zebra crossing. The existing crossing at Mackenzie Road has been investigated and determined as in need of improvements for pedestrians. The improvements include upgrading the existing kerb ramps to the latest design standard as well as realigning the kerb at its south-east corner to shorten the crossing distance. In addition, a new concrete footpath will be constructed outside the Community Hall to connect the new raised crossing to Mackenzie Road. 

Mackenzie Road

• Concern that the location of the proposed crossing on Mackenzie Road is unsafe as drivers travel around that corner from Clarkes Beach at speed and hedges on the corner property cause visibility issues between pedestrians and drivers at this location. The existing crossing on Mackenzie Road has been reviewed and will be upgraded to the latest design standards as part of this project. In addition, the kerb at the south-east corner of the intersection will be realigned to shorten the crossing distance on Makenzie Road. A visibility check was undertaken at the pram crossing during our investigation to ensure that there is adequate visibility for approaching drivers to see the pedestrians at the crossing point.  
• Concern that people crossing at the Mackenzie Road crossing will cause traffic to back up near the intersection.  
  As the proposed kerb ramps at Mackenzie Road provides priority to drivers and not pedestrians, we anticipate that the traffic operation at the intersection will be similar to how it operates now.  
• Suggestion to relocate the crossing further down Mackenzie Road, near the hall.  
  The proposed crossing location aligns with the desired pedestrian crossing line. Moving the pram crossing further down Mackenzie Road would have a high possibility of reducing people’s usage of the crossing and would reduce the visibility of the crossing.  
• Request to install a raised kerb around the radius of the McKenzie Road corner to increase separation between pedestrians and the roadway. 
  Our pedestrian survey data indicates that the pedestrian demand for crossing Mackenzie Road is very low (two pedestrians during the peak hour 2:30pm-3:30pm). Therefore, we are unable to accommodate your request at this stage 

Parking

• Concerns that the parking removal is unnecessary, as crossing is patrolled by the school when the carparks are in use, and people do not park there outside of these times.  
  The proposed broken yellow lines are required to maintain visibility between the people who are waiting to cross the road and the approaching motorists at all times.  
• Concerns that the removal of parking will increase the already high parking demand around the school. Request to implement additional parking spaces near Waiau Pa School instead. While we acknowledge that the loss of parking spaces will push parking slightly further away from the school gate, we consider that there is sufficient parking available further along Waiau Pa Road and on the side streets to meet the parking demand. In addition, parking is allowed within the bus stop box outside the bus stop operating times. Removal of parking is necessary to ensure visibility between pedestrians and motorists is maintained at all times.  
• Concern that the proposal drawing shows five car parks outside the school between the pedestrian crossing and the Four-Square driveway. Currently there are seven parks. Query whether this is misdrawn, or if the proposal includes the loss of another two parks on top of the three in front of the tennis courts. There will be a total of five parking spaces removed as part of this proposal. It includes the loss of two parking spaces on the school side and three spaces in front of the tennis courts. This is to accommodate the relocated zebra crossing and new bus stop road markings. 
• Belief that the proposed crossing will assist those arriving by bus but create additional problems for those travelling by car. Belief that the crossing should not be raised as it is manned during school hours and concerns that the crossing will considerably disrupt vehicle movements.  
  The profile of the raised table crossing has been designed to reduce speeds outside the school and is considered appropriate for all vehicles including buses and trucks. The detailed design for this project will include the appropriate warning signs and road markings that will alert road users in advance of the approaching raised speed table zebra crossing.  

• Suggestion that the proposed diamond road marking should be relocated. Suggestion that the diamond road marking is now too far away from crossing and that it should remain in its current position. 
  The diamond road marking is an additional advance warning to approaching drivers so that drivers are aware of the pedestrian crossing ahead and can be ready to stop in time if needed. The location of the diamond marking has been designed as per the design standard requirement which is not less than 50m in advance of the pedestrian crossing. 

Footpaths

• Request to widen the footpath or install a barrier on the footpath on Mackenzie Road. Concerns that the existing footpath is too narrow, dangerous on the bend and runs parallel to the road with no safety measures separating vehicles and pedestrians.  
  Our pedestrian survey data indicates that the pedestrian demand crossing Mackenzie Road is very low (two pedestrians during the peak hour 2:30pm-3:30pm). Therefore, we are unable to justify footpath improvements at this location at this stage.  
• Request to widen the footpath from the McKenzie Road intersection to the proposed raised pedestrian crossing.  
  The current footpath width is 1.5m. This is considered adequate to accommodate the pedestrian demand in the area which is usually high for a short period of time during the start and end of the school times. The footpath outside the school next to the bus stop has been widened to allow more waiting area for children.  
• Concern about overgrown gardens narrowing footpaths in this area.  
  We will forward your request to Auckland Council for tree trimming.  

• Request to extend the footpath in front of 570 Waiau Pa Road.  
  There is an existing footpath in front of 570 Waiau Pa Road which is considered satisfactory for the current pedestrian flow in the area.  
• Request to install additional parallel parks opposite the drop-off bay as there is not enough parking currently.  
  During investigation, the design was reviewed to minimise the loss of parking in the area. While we acknowledge that the proposed loss of parking will push parking slightly further away from the school gate, we consider that there is sufficient parking available further along Waiau Pa Road and on the side streets to meet the demand. Therefore, installing new parking spaces in this area is currently not considered to be necessary.  
• Request to install footpaths on both sides of Waiau Pa Road from the crossing to Saddleton Road or beyond.  
  Pedestrian traffic is low in this section of Waiau Pa Road. The existing footpath on the western side of Waiau Pa Road between the crossing and Saddleton Road is considered adequate to accommodate the pedestrian demand in the area.  
• Request for a footpath to be installed near Waiau Pa Reserve, where the carpark was recently upgraded.  
  Unfortunately, this is outside of the scope of this project. Therefore, we will forward your request to the relevant internal team for investigation and consideration. 
• Concern that widening the footpath on the school side of Waiau Pa Road will mean the parking spaces are pushed hard up against the road. Concern this will cause an issue for mobility parking users and parents with children in car seats that can't exit from the left-hand side of the car.  
  The proposed widened footpath outside the school is to provide more waiting space for the bus stop as well as narrowing down the traffic lane to encourage lower speeds at the location. With the proposed speed table, it is expected that the speed at or near the crossing will be low. Given the approximately 2.0m new footpath area provided next to the mobility parking and with over 4.5m space between the mobility parking and the road centreline, we consider the proposed work provides a safer environment for the mobility parking users to utilise the parking space. 

Surrounding Area

• Concern that Waiau Pa Hall carpark is inadequate for the hall capacity. Concern that the local board encourages use of the facility but does not offer improved parking facilities for users. Suggestion to incorporate the planned resurfacing of the Hall carpark alongside construction of this project. Request to mark out parking spaces in Waiau Pa Hall carpark.  
  This project is aiming to improve pedestrian safety at the existing zebra crossing on Waiau Pa Road, especially for the school children. Waiau Pa Hall Carpark area is outside of the public road reserve and therefore is not under Auckland Transport’s jurisdiction. Please contact Auckland Council in regard to your request for improvements within the Hall carpark.  
• Request for second lanes to be installed on Clarkes Beach Road to allow for vehicles turning into side streets.  
  The existing road width along Clarks Beach Road is approximately 8m wide which is too narrow to fit in an additional lane. Therefore, we are unable to accommodate your request at this stage.  
• Suggestion to broadly look at the Waiau Pa/Clarkes Beach neighbourhood and make improvements, instead of focusing upon the school area only.  
  This project is a minor improvement project focused on improving pedestrian safety outside Waiau Pa School and wider neighbourhood improvements are outside of the scope of this project. Improvements in the neighbourhood area is likely to be addressed as more developments are happening in the area. 

Other

• Disagree with the proposed bus only hours and suggest that these should be 7:45am-9:00am and 2:15pm-3:45pm. 
  The proposed bus stop operation time has been selected based on the current bus stop usage. It covers not only daily usage at the school start and finish time but also for the special events at the school.  
• Concerns about the alignment of this proposal with Auckland Council’s proposed Waiau Pa Trails plan.  
  Thank you for your feedback. Auckland Transport has liaised with Auckland Council regarding the Clarks Beach–Waiau Pa Trails Plan. The path plan is a long-term project to be developed over the next ten to twenty years and beyond, it is currently at a very early stage and no details have been developed. Due to the risk to pedestrians crossing the road and the speeding issues outside Waiau Pa School, we are proceeding the proposed pedestrian improvement. We will be monitoring the traffic condition and pedestrian demand at the Mckenzie Road / Waiau Pa Road intersection and revisit our approach should the situation change in the future.