Consultation and feedback Consultation and feedback

12 key issues raised

• Cycling: There was significant support for cycling facilities - 18% of responses raised cycling as an issue, 6% of those questioned the need for cycling facilities.
• Pedestrians: Catering for pedestrians was a significant issue, with the safety of pedestrians a key focus.
• Speed: Reducing the posted speed limit was suggested by a number of people with either 30kph or 40kph suggested. The speed limit on Ponsonby Road has been lowered to 40kph and is perceived to be working well.
• Parking: Retention of parking between the trees was supported by the majority of people.
• Carriageway configuration includes the cross-section, or how the road looks from one side to the other. Key themes were:
  • Retaining parking between the trees.
  • Ensuring safety.
  • Suggestions for alternative configurations.
  • Options presented in November 2014 were considered to create safety issues.

• Detailed design/services: Comments relating to the detailed design of the final option included:
  • Improvements to the road surface to reduce noise.
  • Undergrounding the power.
  • Ensuring raising the pavement (if this is the design) does not increase runoff into adjacent properties.

• Flush median: There was significant support to maintain the flush median, primarily for safety reasons.
  • safe turning for traffic into side streets or into driveways across the flow of traffic into the other side of the carriage way (allowing cars to move to the centre of the road so as to not block following traffic),
  • a safe place for pedestrians to stop while crossing the road; the ability to pass stationary rubbish trucks emptying rubbish bins,
  • an egress for emergency vehicles,
  • visibility.
  • The median strip aids traffic flow and pedestrian access across the street during the Christmas light period.”

• Trees: The London Plane trees are recognised as being iconic and important to protect and retain.

• Footpath/berm: Most people preferred low growing native plants. Other suggestions included:
  • community garden,
  • fruit trees,
  • flowers.

• Intersection: Safety at intersections was raised, in particular the Wellington Street intersection.
  • Ensuring safe traffic flow through Franklin Road is critical. At peak times bottlenecks are experienced:
  • turning right from Wellington Street onto Franklin Road,
  • turning from Scotland Street onto College Hill,
  • the Victoria Park New World where the reduction of road width (due to entry / exit barriers) prevents cars moving to the left for turning into side streets or Victoria Street West.
  • Franklin Road residents suggested a roundabout or traffic lights for the Wellington Street and Franklin Road intersection. It was decided that traffic lights could increase street noise for local residents and impede traffic flow, so options for a roundabout needs further exploration.

• Streetscape: The visual appearance, symmetry and iconic views of the wide street are valued by many. Both original options were considered to narrow the view corridor and diminish the “beautiful and wide boulevard that has become so iconic in Auckland”.
  • There's also a desire to consider street furniture such as rubbish bins and seating.

• New World entry: While not a road intersection, the entry to New World was raised as a safety issue.

Other Issues raised

• Consultation: Continue to engage with Franklin Road residents during the project.
• Public transport: Maintain current bus services that use Franklin Road, provide better public transport along Franklin Road and consider extending the Wynyard Quarter tram up Franklin Road to Ponsonby.
• Traffic management: Address the use of Scotland Street as a ‘rat run’.
• Utility services: Underground the power as part of the project.

How we received feedback

• 70 feedback forms completed.
• Approximately 40 people attended Community Information Sessions and stayed for about 20 minutes.
• Meetings with residents and other stakeholders.
• Written/email feedback.
• 213 separate points raised.

The majority of people were from a 500 metre radius of Franklin Road, though there were some as far away as 1 kilometre.

Option A

Bird's eye view

Cross section

Option B

Bird's eye view

Cross section

These revised options were discussed with residents and other stakeholders in March 2015. Residents expressed concern with options presented, specifically in regard to:

• Visibility of cyclists when reversing out of driveways.
• Potential speed of cyclists.
• Management of leaf build up during autumn / winter.

Following the meeting in March, we:

• Considered the role of Franklin Road in the development of the strategic cycling network.
• Undertaken further investigations to consider safety concerns.
• Had external independent safety audits of four design concepts.
• Considered outcomes from internal and external safety audits.
• Discussed progress with the Local Board.
• Agreed design principles for Franklin Road.

Safety audits

Following a site visit and investigations by AT safety specialists, in April 2015 four options were assessed by an independent external safety auditor.

Options A and B are the same as those presented in March (shown above).

Option C

Option C is essentially the existing layout with no formal cycling facilities being provided.

Option D

Option D is an additional option identified as a result of the internal safety investigations and site visit.

The following issues were raised through the safety audit process:

• Finding a gap to reverse out of properties into traffic lane can be challenging.
• Vehicles currently wait for a gap either half-way across the footpath or on the edge of the traffic lane.
• High boundary fences, parked vehicles and large tree trunks obstruct visibility for residents reversing out of driveways.
• The speed of cyclists downhill could be of concern.

We are continuing to assess design options following an independent safety audit and feedback from key stakeholder groups. This will lead to AT deciding on a preferred option that will be taken through to detailed design and construction. The safety of all road users and residents will be an important factor in the final decision.

Option 1

On road cycling facility

Option 2

On road cycle facility, partial removal of flush median

Option 3

Off road separated cycle facility (raised pavement), partial removal of flush median.