Meadowbank-Kohimarama connectivity project out for consultation

As Auckland’s population grows, more travel choices are needed – encouraging people to walk or ride a bike around our region and contribute to our climate change goals.

Auckland Transport (AT) is now consulting with the community on new shared path connections between Meadowbank and Kohimarama - via the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path that’s currently under construction.

The project includes two shared path connections - a northern connection joining John Rymer Place with the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path, and a southern connection that joins Gowing Drive with the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path.

The 2021 Auckland Regional Land Transport Plan has prioritised approximately $22 million for the project in the next three years. This is subject to final funding confirmation.

If the proposed connections go ahead, people would be able to walk, bike, or scooter all the way from Meadowbank and Kohimarama to the train station, schools, and the city centre - separated from traffic.

Councillor Desley Simpson says she’s incredibly excited to finally see budget for these north-south connections.

“This would increase usage of the shared path tenfold. It’s been tough getting this budget into the RLTP – especially in our fiscally constrained times – and I want to thank our community for their long-standing advocacy and support.”

Scott Milne, Chairman of the Ōrākei Local Board, says it’s excellent to see teamwork come to fruition.

“Pourewa Valley is the urban forest between Meadowbank and Kohimarama and it’s important to cross it safely while appreciating its beauty. These connections have the potential to remove many hundreds of car movements from the St.Johns/ Kohimarama Road loop daily - as students, in particular, could safely and quickly get to schools on the Kohimarama side.”

AT’s Sustainable Mobility Manager, Cliff Wilton, says Tāmaki Makaurau is a growing, diverse city.

“As an organisation, we are looking for ways to make it easier and safer for people to choose sustainable transport - such as walking, riding bikes or e-scooters - and providing options that are separated from traffic. These proposed new connections would help more of our tamariki and adults to be more active and less reliant on car travel. This proposal is part of AT’s plan to create a city that puts people at its centre – one that is greener, safer and better connected.”

Michael Maher, Principal at St Thomas’s Primary School, is overjoyed with the proposal and says it would markedly improve safety for school pupils and the community.

“It would allow students to travel safely within their community - and in particular - between home and school,” he says.

Selwyn College staff also support the proposal and acknowledge the benefits the connections would provide for accessing community and school activities.

This project reflects Auckland Transport’s Vision Zero approach to road safety - where AT is striving to have zero deaths or serious injuries on our transport system by 2050.

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