Pedestrian level crossing removal

Status

We will not close the O'Neills Road crossing within the next 2 years, as previously communicated. The number of trains using this part of the Western Line is not expected to increase significantly when City Rail Link opens.

We will continue to:

• monitor safety at the crossing
• assess the need to run more trains to meet demand.

Context

This crossing is situated between new residential developments, schools, and other local businesses. There are 2 alternative routes nearby:

• an underpass on North Candia Road, 400m east of the level crossing
• an overbridge at Swanson Station, 700m west of the level crossing.

Community engagement

We consulted the Swanson community on the removal of O’Neills Road pedestrian level crossing from 12 June to 2 July 2023.

We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it safer and easier to use before the level crossing is removed.

Consultation was not about the removal itself because of the safety regulations we must comply with.

During this engagement, the community suggested more safety improvements. AT committed to exploring the suggestions by the end of 2024.

These include building:

• temporary electronic safety gates at the existing crossing until the removal of the crossing
• further safe crossings
• further streetscape improvements.

For more details, read the O'Neills Road engagement summary and decisions report (PDF, 563KB).

Next steps

Auckland Transport is aware of your concerns about the proposed O’Neills Road level crossing closure. We recently assessed the next steps.

We will think about the future of this level crossing. We will also think about other crossings on the outer Western Line. We are getting ready for scheduled train frequencies to increase.

When that happens, we will work with the community. We want to hear their views and take them with us on the decision-making process.

We will address safety risks by installing automatic safety gates. The timing of this relies on expert signalling resource. That resource is now focused on the City Rail Link works.

Status

This level crossing has been removed.

Context

This crossing was one of 3 crossings connecting Corban Estate Art Centre to Great North Road. There are 2 alternative routes nearby:

• an underpass near Opanuku Stream, 150m south of the level crossing
• Mount Lebanon Lane, 250m north of the crossing.

Community engagement

We consulted the Henderson community on the removal of Corban Estate pedestrian level crossing from 12 June to 2 July 2023.

We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it safer and easier to use before the level crossing is removed.

Consultation was not about the removal itself because of the safety regulations we must comply with.

Our response

We listened carefully to community feedback and made the following improvements to the alternative routes:

• Upgraded lighting
• New signage and improved wayfinding in the area
• Trimmed the vegetation on the approach to the underpass near Opanuku Stream.

More detail is available in the Corban Estate engagement summary and decisions report (PDF, 600KB).

Timing

We removed this level crossing in February 2024.

Status

This level crossing has been removed.

Context

This crossing previously connected Khyber Pass Road and Carlton Gore Road in the busy commercial area of Newmarket. The alternative route is nearby:

• Davis Crescent, 100m east of the level crossing.

Community engagement

We consulted the Newmarket community on the removal of Kingdon Street pedestrian level crossing from 31 July to 27 August 2023.

We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it safer and easier to use before the level crossing is removed.

Consultation was not about the removal itself because of the safety regulations we must comply with.

Our response

We listened carefully to community feedback and made the following improvements to the alternative routes:

• a wider footpath on Davis Crescent from 1.3m to 2.5m
• a new zebra crossing on Short Street
• upgraded lighting.

More detail is available in the Kingdon Street engagement summary and decisions report (PDF, 957KB).

Timing

We removed this level crossing in June 2024.

Status

This level crossing has been removed.

Context

This crossing previously connected 2 residential streets and is situated near the Mount Albert town centre. The alternative route is nearby:

• Carrington Road, 200m south of the level crossing.

Community engagement

We consulted the Mount Albert community on the removal of Lloyd Avenue pedestrian level crossing from 31 July to 27 August 2023.

We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it safer and easier to use before the level crossing is removed.

Consultation was not about the removal itself because of the safety regulations we must comply with.

Our response

We listened carefully to community feedback and made the following improvements to the alternative routes:

• a safer, wider shared path for walking and cycling on Carrington Road overbridge
• a new speed bump on Prospero Terrace.

We are continuing to investigate:

• further widening of the Carrington Road rail overbridge separately as part of the Carrington Road Improvements project
• a signalised pedestrian crossing on Carrington Road.

More detail is available in the Lloyd Avenue engagement summary and decisions report (PDF, 600KB).

Timing

We removed this level crossing in June 2024.

Status

This level crossing has been removed.

Context

This crossing was situated near the Takaanini shopping centre, schools and other local businesses. The alternative route is nearby:

• Walters Road, 500m north of the level crossing.

Community engagement

We consulted the Takaanini community on the removal of Tironui Station Road East pedestrian level crossing from 31 July to 27 August 2023.

We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it safer and easier to use before the level crossing is removed. 

Consultation was not about the removal itself because of the safety regulations we must comply with.

Our response

We installed the following improvements:

• repaired the tactile markings for pedestrians
• investigated relocating the emergency exit sign on the west side of the level crossing
• improved the level crossing surface by introducing a system called veloSTRAIL track panels. We have informed KiwiRail, who will make further investigations.

More detail is available in the Tironui Station Road East engagement summary and decisions report (PDF, 644KB).

Timing

We removed this level crossing in February 2024.

Status

In spring, we will begin building improvements to the area around the station and Park and Ride. The 2 pedestrian level crossings will stay open until late December.

If you plan on using Homai Station while we carry out this work, you should allow extra time to get to the station. We will put in place temporary footpath detours and other safety measures.

We will install signs around the station to keep you informed and help you find your way during construction.

For more information, go to Homai Station level crossing removal.

We are fast tracking work to:

• remove pedestrian level crossings
• replace them with safe access by pedestrian bridges at Glen Innes, Takaanini and Te Mahia Stations.

This is to take advantage of the planned rail line closures before City Rail Link opens.

We are now engaging with our stakeholders and the community. This is to better understand what it means for access, connection, amenity and safety.

Context

Starting next year, the City Rail Link will enable more frequent trains and connections, making it easier to get around Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland. The Eastern and Southern Line trains will increase to every 5 minutes during peak times, and there is the potential for more in the future.

Currently, to get to the station platforms, you have to cross the tracks at a pedestrian level crossing. To provide safer access to stations and make way for more trains, we’re removing or replacing these types of crossings. If the pedestrian level crossings are not removed, there would be a higher safety risk and safety gates would be closed more often, impacting travel times.

Community engagement

We will build new pedestrian bridges to give the community a safer way to access the station and make train journeys quicker.

At the existing crossings, people have to walk directly on the rail tracks. We will permanently close them and replace them with this new, safer, accessible pedestrian bridge.

We are working with the community, station users, and local businesses to gather feedback on the pedestrian bridge designs before any works happen. When construction starts, we will work closely with the community to minimise impact.

The proposed designs for the pedestrian bridges and further information are now live on our Have Your Say website and open for feedback.