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Rosebank Road and Victor Street, Avondale – Pedestrian safety improvements Rosebank Road and Victor Street, Avondale – Pedestrian safety improvements

Proposal status: Feedback closed 5 July 2021

Reference number: MIP2021-038

Project update

In June 2021, we asked for your feedback on our plan to make Rosebank Road safer for people walking. Especially students from nearby Rosebank School and Avondale College.

The project was first set for the end of the 2022 to 2023 financial year. It has been pushed back to July 2025 due to funding issues.

We’ll update the community when we finalise the budget and construction schedules.

To see the project plan, view the proposal drawing (opens in a new tab).

For more project updates, visit Have your say (opens in a new tab).

The changes we’re making

Rosebank Road, Eastdale Road and Avondale Road Intersection

We will:

  • widen footpaths on each corner of the intersection to give more room when waiting to cross
  • realign crossing points including moving the traffic signal poles, where necessary
  • install pram crossings to make it safer and more convenient for people pushing prams and those with mobility needs to cross roads
  • install yellow tactile pavers to help vision impaired people find their way to crossings and safely cross the road
  • realign the crossing on Eastdale Road
  • install new streetlights and paint new road markings

184 Rosebank Road

We will:

  • rebuild the pram crossings
  • install tactile pavers on both the existing crossing and the traffic light-controlled access road into Avondale College
  • rebuild the footpath on the northern side of the crossing.

164 Rosebank Road

We will build traffic islands on either side of Rosebank Road. They will align with the existing crossing island which we will rebuild. A crossing island is a small section of pavement within the median strip, surrounded by concrete. It helps people crossing to safely wait for a gap in traffic (while giving way to motorists) when crossing the road.

We will install no stopping (broken yellow) lines from outside 158 to 164 Rosebank Road to ensure clear and safe access for the bus leading out of the stop. We need to re-allocate road space and remove 3 parking spaces.

We will also:

  • install tactile pavers
  • rebuild the footpath on the western end of the crossing island
  • move the traffic signal poles and install new signs so the crossing point is more visible.

153 Rosebank Road

We will:

  • rebuild and widen the pram crossings and install tactile pavers
  • move the traffic signal poles to align with the widening of the pram crossing
  • repaint the bus stop markings.

Victor Street near Rosebank Road

We will install a new raised crossing with a new footpath and tactile pavers. When the crossing is level with the footpath, people crossing can more easily be seen by motorists.

To help motorists see better when using the intersection, we will install no stopping (broken yellow) lines near 149 Rosebank Road. We need to reallocate road space and remove 2 parking spaces.

We will install belisha beacons by the crossing. These are orange discs which warn motorists they are approaching a crossing, especially at night.

We will also:

  • plant new grass berms on both sides of the crossing
  • install new road markings including a bus stop sign outside 149 Rosebank Rd.

Proposal outcome

In June 2021, we proposed changes to improve pedestrian safety at Rosebank Road and Victor Street, Avondale. These changes are in response to requests from Rosebank School and Avondale College to improve safety for children as they walk to and from school and the local parks. After reviewing all the feedback we received, we are proceeding with the work as proposed. These works will help support our Vision Zero goal.

Community feedback

Thank you for helping us make better decisions for your neighbourhood, informed by your local knowledge. The majority of respondents were supportive of this proposal. In their feedback, people reported that the changes would make it easier to cross the road and improve safety.

A summary of the additional comments and queries we received, and our responses to them, is below. 

Rosebank Road - Eastdale Road - Avondale Road intersection 

  • Request to add the missing leg of the signalised crossing on Rosebank Road at the entrance to Avondale College and make the crossing a barnes dance sequence to support active modes. The missing leg has been added to the plans but the possibility of adding a barnes dance sequence, where all pedestrians can cross on all crossings simultaneously and all vehicles must stop, has not been progressed at this time due to issues around capacity and delays at this intersection. 
  • Request for bus priority measures at the Rosebank Road - Eastdale Road - Avondale Road intersection as the merging of two lanes into one in each direction creates long queues which reduces public transport reliability and is hazardous for active modes. This proposal is focussed on improvements to pedestrian safety. A longer-term plan would be required to address issues for public transport. 
  • Query regarding when the connected communities route will be built on New North Road. For details and updates on this project please click here. 

Underlying issues 

  • Concern that this proposal does not address the issue of traffic congestion or road safety on Rosebank Road, where people use the median strip incorrectly, make illegal turning manoeuvres, turn in and out of driveways and park illegally. The aim of this proposal is to improve pedestrian safety. NZ Police should be contacted for illegal use of the central median and turning movements. We recommend regularly reporting illegally parked vehicles to our parking enforcement call centre, which operates 24 hours, 7 days a week: 09 355 3553. 
  • Concern that AT has not engaged with the community or schools to find ways to resolve the underlying safety concern which is driver behaviour on Rosebank Road. Auckland Transport is actively working with all schools to encourage active modes of travel, such as walking and cycling, as part of the Travelwise programme. As school pupils move to more active modes of travel, this should reduce driver numbers at the school gate and the associated safety concerns raised by both school pupil parents and also other road users. However, should bad driver behaviour be observed this should be report to NZ Police. 
  • Concern that the changes are minor and expensive and will not improve safety. These measures are minor, inexpensive and are centred on improving the existing pedestrian facilities and also provide a new facility at the Victor Street intersection. All of these measures are designed to increase pedestrian safety and encourage this mode of travel. Reducing the reliance on vehicle travel by providing safe, attractive alternative modes of travel is one of the measures that Auckland Transport is using to tackle both congestion and move towards Vision Zero. 

Victor Street crossing 

  • Concern that the raised crossing on Victor Street is too close to the intersection and turning cars will not have time to stop for people crossing. Vehicles turning into a side road are expected to be moving slowly and the crossing is placed to enable vehicles to stop. 

Aspen Street and Rosebank Road intersection 

  • Request for a keep clear zone to be painted on the road at the Aspen Street and Rosebank Road intersection to help reduce congestion at school pickup and drop-off times and make it safer for pedestrians. The congestion also reduces visibility, so drivers cannot see people crossing the road. We do not place Keep Clear markings at such locations due to issues around compliance and consistency and the clear guidance provided by the Road Code. It is also important to note that Keep Clear markings do not address congestion. 

We're proposing improvements in your area

Rosebank School and Avondale College have asked us to improve safety for children as they walk to and from school and the local parks. We are proposing to upgrade several pedestrian crossing points along Rosebank Road and to install a new raised pedestrian crossing on Victor Street.

These changes will:

  • make everyone safer
  • protect people with different accessibility needs
  • lower speeds near schools
  • encourage drivers to slow down and take extra care, especially when nearing the school crossing
  • improve visibility between motorists and people walking and crossing the road.

There will be new road markings and signs to clarify right of way. These will improve safety by lessening the risk of collisions and ensure compliance with traffic regulations.

Walking is good for the environment and good for your health. It helps reduce reliance on cars for local trips. This lessens traffic congestion and reduces carbon emissions.