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Willis Road, Papakura - Raised zebra crossing Willis Road, Papakura - Raised zebra crossing

Proposal status: Feedback closed 22 April 2022

Reference number: MIP2021-015

Proposal outcome

In March 2022, we proposed changes to install a new raised zebra crossing close to the main gate entrance of Papakura High School at Willis Road, Papakura. These changes are in response to Papakura High School requesting to provide a safe crossing facility outside the front gate of the school. This is due to vehicle speeding concerns on Willis Road which makes it unsafe for students when they cross the road.

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 after the 2022/23 financial year (subject to budget availability). We will be in touch with the 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. Most respondents were supportive of this proposal. People told us that Willis Road is busy and drivers often speed along the road, making it unsafe for students to cross.

The following is a summary of the additional comments and queries we received, and our responses to them:

  • Suggestion to paint no stopping lines on both sides of the crossing.
    Broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times lines) have been proposed based on the visibility requirements for pedestrians at this new crossing. It is important to the school community to retain the on-street parking near the school entrance.
  • Suggestion to construct additional speed bumps outside 2-4 Willis Road and 20-22 Willis Road
    The focus of this project is to encourage slower vehicle speeds and improve safety at the front of the school by providing the new raised zebra crossing. There are no additional interventions planned on Willis Road as part of this project.

We're proposing improvements in your area

After receiving a request for safety improvements from Papakura High School, we have investigated options to improve the safety of students and residents crossing Willis Road. We are proposing to install a raised zebra crossing and are asking for just a few minutes of your time to give us your feedback.

We are proposing to:

  • Install a raised table zebra crossing at 12 Willis Road, which is a pedestrian crossing on top of a wide, flat speed bump called a speed table. This would remove two of the indented parking bay spaces on the south side of Willis Road in front of Papakura High School.
  • Install tactile pavers, which are yellow textured tiles that help guide visually impaired people, on the footpaths at the new crossing.
  • Install a “No Right Turn” sign for drivers exiting the Papakura High School driveway. The sign would be in effect 8:00AM to 9:00AM and 2:30PM to 3:30PM schooldays only.
  • Paint “Bus Stop” in the existing bus parking bays on the south side of Willis Road in front of the school.
  • Remove the kerb ramp outside the walkway between 8 and 10 Willis Road and replace it with grass to encourage use of the proposed crossing.
  • Paint broken yellow lines (no stopping at any time lines) near the new crossing to ensure drivers and pedestrians have clear lines of sight. This would remove eight on-street parking spaces.
  • Remove the existing broken yellow lines from in front of 3 Willis Road. This would make four on-street parking spaces available.
  • Install signs and streetlights and paint new road markings to support the new crossing.

Download the proposal drawing for Willis Road, Papakura - Raised zebra crossing

The proposed raised zebra crossing would slow drivers to a safer speed near Papakura High School, and the crossing would be on top of a wide speed bump raised to the footpath level, so it is comfortable for everyone, including people with prams and wheelchairs, to cross.

The proposed “No Right Turn” sign would apply only to drivers exiting the Papakura High School. This was requested by the school to ensure students can safely walk across the new crossing with minimal vehicle traffic over the crossing at peak school start and finish times when many people enter and exit the school grounds in vehicles and on foot.

These improvements would include removing some on-street parking near the crossing. We understand this can be inconvenient, but painting broken yellow lines is necessary so the road is kept clear and drivers and the people crossing the road can see each other.

We would increase the visibility of the crossing by installing new signs and painting new road markings, so drivers would be aware of the new speed table and the need to look out for pedestrians crossing the road. These changes aim to improve safety for people on Willis Road, especially for the students of Papakura High School.

Give your feedback

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.

Papakura: 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 Willis 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).