Chapel Road and Kilkenny Drive, Dannemora - Intersection improvements Chapel Road and Kilkenny Drive, Dannemora - Intersection improvements

Cycling Safety

• Concern that the project fails to improve cycling facilities and limits future potential for cycling improvements and cycling network links. 
  Requests to install a cycle lane at this intersection.
  Concern that widened roads and decreased turning radiuses lowers the safety of cyclists using the intersection.
  Belief that proposed design is unsafe and unsuitable for cyclists.
  In view of community feedback, we will now be installing shared paths on both sides of Chapel Road through the intersection. We expect this change to improve safety for cyclists through the intersection.
  These changes do not however inhibit the installation of separated onroad cycle facilities along this route in future. When a cycle route along this corridor is progressed, it will be able to make use of the widened section of the corridor.
• Concern that the raised zebra crossings are slippery for cyclists and difficult to navigate with minimal suspension. 
  Raised crossings are proven to be an effective method of slowing driver speeds, which is essential for ensuring pedestrian safety. The new shared paths will separate cyclists from general traffic and allow cyclists on both sides of Chapel Road to bypass the intersection and raised crossing.

Active Transport Modes

• Concern that the proposed design does not encourage the use of public transport and instead encourages increased dependence on private vehicles. It will therefore increase number of vehicles on the road. Suggestion to install a bus lane.
  This section of Chapel Road is a frequent bus route. While the improvements will increase the capacity of the intersection for cars, we also expect significant benefits for public transport users.

• Concern these changes will make it more difficult for locals to walk or bike to local store.
  The raised zebra crossing on Kilkenny Drive will improve safety for pedestrians crossing on the slip lane. In view of community feedback, we will now also be installing shared paths on both sides of Chapel Road through the intersection. We expect these to improve safety for cyclists through the intersection.

Pedestrian Safety

• Recommendation to include raised zebra crossings on all legs of the intersection.
  As this is a signalised intersection, we are using signalised pedestrian crosswalks rather than zebra crossings. This is because zebra crossings cannot be safely provided where pedestrians must cross multiple lanes of traffic in the same direction.

• Concern that the proposal will lower the safety of pedestrians using the intersection. Suggestions to build out kerbs or install a single right and left turning lane heading northwest from Kilkenny Drive, instead of slip lane. 
  The existing zebra crossing on the slip lane has been operating safely, with no pedestrian-related crashes in the last 10 years. We expect that raising the zebra crossing will further reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes by reducing the speed of approaching vehicles.

Environmental Impact

• Belief that the proposal does not consider short- and long-term environmental impacts and will result in increased emissions.
  Supporting mode change, reducing climate crisis impacts and making the road safer for vulnerable road users continues to be a primary focus for our organisation.
  While this proposal may not significantly influence people to choose modes of travel with lower emissions, we must also continue to address existing operational issues on the network. We have identified this intersection as an area where the proposed changes can have a substantial impact on reducing congestion.

• Concern that the proposal will result in increased congestion.
  Based on the traffic modelling we undertook for the proposal, we expect that queues and delays at the intersection will be significantly reduced, especially during afternoon peak hours.

• Concern about proposed tree removal and suggestions to plant additional trees.
  All trees to be removed as part of this project will be replanted at suitable locations nearby.

Other

• Query as to how and why project is supported by Auckland Regional Fuel Tax.
  The project is being funded through Auckland Transports Minor Improvement Programme. The funding for this programme does not affect walking and cycling budgets. Find out more about the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax.

• Concerns about the widening of roads and increased turning radiuses will increase speeds.
  We will shift the new dedicated right turn bay on Chapel Road slightly south of its existing location, which will reduce the turning radius of this movement. While the turning radius of the right turn from Kilkenny Drive will be increased, we do not expect it to significantly affect turning speeds.
• Concern that there is not enough information provided on signal changes.
  We will finalise the signal design at a later date. Our initial traffic modelling for the proposal expects significant reductions in overall delays and queues at the intersection.
• Concern that the proposed changes do not include adequate calming measures.
  Chapel Road is a 60km/h road and a freight route. Vertical traffic calming measures such as speed bumps, are not currently considered appropriate for this type of road.