Pedestrian level crossing removal Pedestrian level crossing removal
AT is removing 7 pedestrian level crossings to improve safety and enable more frequent trains for the City Rail Link.
Project zone: region-wide
Project status: community feedback
On this page:
Auckland Transport (AT) has recently started work to remove some pedestrian level crossings before the City Rail Link (CRL) opens to the public. This includes 7 pedestrian level crossings across Auckland.
We are required to remove these crossings to reduce the risk of serious injury or death, and therefore receive regulatory approval from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for increasing train frequency after the CRL opens.
While an incident may not have occurred at your local pedestrian level crossing recently, incidents such as near misses and collisions with pedestrians have occurred, and continue to occur, across our rail network.
AT takes these risks very seriously as we work hard to provide a safer network for all Aucklanders.
Background
More frequent trains
We are working with our partners to upgrade the rail network, and there are several projects under way. These upgrades include the City Rail Link (CRL), Electrification from Papakura to Pukekohe (P2P), KiwiRail's Rail Network Rebuild, and the Third Main Line.
These upgrades will enable more frequent trains, including more AT passenger trains, KiwiRail freight trains, and other regional services to Hamilton and Wellington.
We are also planning to introduce a rail network with new services and timetables for when the CRL opens to the public. These new timetables will mean that train frequencies increase by 100% in some areas, causing significant delays at level crossings as barrier arms are lowered more often.
Improving safety
While more frequent trains can support better customer journeys, they also cause delays at level crossings due to the increase in barrier-down times. This can result in increased safety risks.
- Longer delays for general traffic and pedestrians at level crossings will increase risk-taking and people crossing in front of oncoming trains due to impatience.
- KiwiRail have reported an increase in near misses, serious injuries and deaths at level crossings over the last year.
- Population growth and densification around train stations will increase safety risks and the likelihood of future incidents.
- Many rail level crossings in Auckland were originally built when there were fewer people crossing them and fewer trains on the network. They were not designed for current or future rail frequencies.
To improve safety at level crossings, and to support growth on our rail network, we have developed a Level Crossing Removal Programme.
Project details
Pedestrian level crossing removal
The Level Crossing Removal Programme takes a long-term approach to removing all level crossings over the next 10 to 30 years. We are currently investigating possible solutions for removing our more complex rail level crossings, including our busy road level crossings.
We have started work to remove 7 pedestrian-only level crossings as part of the first stage of this significant removal programme (stage 1).
The stage 1 removals are required to gain approval from Waka Kotahi (the rail safety regulator) for increasing rail frequency after the CRL opens to the public. This is due to existing safety regulations.
Why crossings are being removed
We’re removing pedestrian level crossings to improve safety.
There are already significant safety risks at level crossings, even if there are barrier arms or automatic safety gates. We need to remove these risks as much as possible before we introduce more frequent trains after the CRL opens to the public.
While an incident may not have occurred at your local level crossing recently, incidents such as near misses and collisions with pedestrians have occurred, and continue to occur, across the network. AT takes these risks very seriously as we work hard to provide a safer network for everyone.
Options considered for this project
For each pedestrian level crossing, we considered 4 options.
Crossing removal
The primary reason for removing pedestrian level crossings is to improve the safety of the rail network. AT also considers the availability of alternative routes, and the low cost of potentially upgrading these routes, to deliver greater value for money.
Bridges and underpasses
AT does not have funding for bridges or underpasses to replace any of the crossings due to current budget constraints affecting all Auckland Council controlled organisations.
Bridges and underpasses require significantly more funding, time, resource consenting and planning to construct. The additional time required for this option would impact AT’s ability to run the new rail services planned for the opening of the CRL.
Automatic safety gates
Automatic safety gates can prevent unsafe behaviour and crossing attempts. However, over time we have observed pedestrians pressing the release button and crossing in front of oncoming trains, children climbing the fencing while the gates are closed, and prams becoming stuck in the tracks as people cross. This release button is necessary to meet accessibility requirements related to wheelchair users, but this option is not 100% effective at preventing serious injury or death.
No changes
Making no changes to the level crossing is not an option due to the ongoing risk of serious injury or death. This is a significant safety risk which AT cannot compromise if safe alternative routes are available.
Collisions with pedestrians have occurred, and continue to occur, across our rail network regularly. We should not wait for a collision to occur in order to justify removing a level crossing.
Crossing locations
We will remove 7 pedestrian-only level crossings at the following 6 locations.
Download map showing affected pedestrian level crossings (PDF 130KB)
O’Neills Road, Swanson
Status
We are currently exploring various options in response to community feedback.
Context
This crossing is not controlled by automatic safety gates and 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
From 12 June to 2 July 2023, we engaged with the Swanson community regarding the removal of O’Neills Road pedestrian level crossing.
We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it easier and safer to use before the level crossing is removed.
Engagement did not focus on the removal itself because of the rail safety regulations which we must comply with.
Our response
We would like to emphasise that we have considered all community feedback carefully and open-mindedly. We understand the sentiment towards the planned removal of this level crossing.
In response to this sentiment and the feedback we have received, we have made commitments to reconsider various elements of the level crossing removal and explore other options.
We acknowledge the possible improvements suggested by the community and the feasibility of these improvements is currently being assessed. We will reach out to the Swanson community once our assessments are complete.
More information is available in the report:
Timing
We have listened to community feedback and are currently assessing the possible options and dates for removing this level crossing.
We will reach out to the community once this is complete.
Corban Estate, Henderson
Status
This level crossing has been removed.
Context
This crossing is not controlled by automatic safety gates and is 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
From 12 June to 2 July 2023, we engaged with the Henderson community regarding the removal of Corban Estate pedestrian level crossing.
We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it easier and safer to use before the level crossing is removed.
Engagement did not focus on the removal itself because of the rail safety regulations which we must comply with.
Our response
We listened carefully to community feedback and made the following improvements to the alternative routes. We:
- upgraded lighting
- created new signage and improved wayfinding in the area
- trimmed the vegetation on the approach to the underpass near Opanuku Stream.
More information is available in the report:
Timing
We removed this level crossing in February 2024.
Kingdon Street, Newmarket
Status
We are currently improving the alternative route.
We will remove the level crossing later in mid-2024, after the alternative route improvements have been completed.
Context
This crossing is controlled by automatic safety gates and connects 2 roads in the busy commercial and business area of Newmarket.
The alternative route is nearby:
- Davies Cresent, 100m east of the level crossing
Community engagement
From 31 July to 27 August 2023, we engaged with the Newmarket community regarding the removal of Kingdon Street pedestrian level crossing.
We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it easier and safer to use before the level crossing is removed.
Engagement did not focus on the removal itself because of the rail safety regulations which we must comply with.
Our response
In response to community feedback, we will install the following improvements as previously proposed. We will install:
- a wider footpath on Davies Crescent from 1.3m to 2.5m
- a new raised table crossing on Short Street to calm vehicle traffic.
We recognise the community support for making more improvements along the alternative route, and we have carefully assessed the various suggestions with an open mind. However, we are unable to make these additional improvements because some suggestions are outside the scope of our project, while others are more significant changes that will require more funding than currently available.
The improvements to be installed provide an affordable solution to improve the safety of the alternative route while balancing all feedback received.
More information is available in the report:
Timing
Works to install the alternative route improvements will begin on 2 April 2024.
We will remove the level crossing later in mid-2024, after the alternative route improvements have been completed.
We will confirm the exact date for removing the level crossing closer to the time.
Lloyd Avenue, Mount Albert
Status
We are currently improving the alternative route.
We will remove the level crossing later in mid-2024, after the alternative route improvements have been completed.
Context
This crossing is controlled by automatic safety gates, connects 2 residential streets and is situated near Mount Albert town centre.
The alternative route is nearby:
- Carrington Road, 200m south of the level crossing
Community engagement
From 31 July to 27 August 2023, we engaged with the Mount Albert community regarding the removal of Lloyd Avenue pedestrian level crossing.
We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it easier and safer to use before the level crossing is removed.
Engagement did not focus on the removal itself because of the rail safety regulations which we must comply with.
Our response
In response to community feedback, we will:
- replace the existing footpath across the Carrington Road rail overbridge with a safer, wider shared path for walking and cycling by combining the existing footpath and cycle lane
- investigate further widening of the Carrington Road rail overbridge separately as part of the Carrington Road Improvements project
- undertake an additional traffic assessment for the area to reassess the need for the proposed signalised pedestrian crossing and, if it is needed, confirm the most suitable location (this assessment will be completed after removing Lloyd Avenue pedestrian level crossing in mid-2024)
- install a speed bump on Prospero Terrace as planned.
More information is available in the report:
Timing
Works to install the alternative route improvements will begin on 25 March 2024.
We will remove the level crossing later in mid-2024, after the alternative route improvements have been completed.
We will confirm the exact date for removing the level crossing closer to the time.
Tironui Station Road East, Takanini
Status
This level crossing has been removed.
Context
This crossing is controlled by automatic safety gates and is situated near the busy Takanini shopping centre, schools and other local businesses.
The alternative route is nearby:
- Walters Road, 500m north of the level crossing.
Community engagement
From 31 July to 27 August 2023, we engaged with the Takanini community regarding the removal of Tironui Station Road East pedestrian level crossing.
We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it easier and safer to use before the level crossing is removed.
Engagement did not focus on the removal itself because of the rail safety regulations which we must comply with.
Our response
We installed the following improvements. We:
- repaired the tactile markings
- 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 information is available in the report:
Timing
We removed this level crossing in February 2024.
Homai Station
Status
We are currently assessing community feedback.
Context
There are 2 crossings at Homai Station. Both crossings are not controlled by automatic safety gates and are situated near the Blind and Low Vision Campus and Manurewa High School.
The current alternative route is via the stairs, connecting Homai Station to Browns Road.
Community engagement
From 6 to 26 November 2023, we engaged with the Homai community regarding the removal of Homai Station pedestrian level crossings.
We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it easier and safer to use before the level crossings are removed.
Engagement did not focus on the removal itself because of the rail safety regulations which we must comply with.
Recommended improvements
To improve the alternative route and ensure safety for additional foot traffic, we proposed the following improvements. We proposed:
- building a new ramp to replace the stairs between Browns Road and Homai Station
- replacing footpaths damaged by tree roots on McVilly Road
- widening footpaths surrounding the station to 1.8m, including footpaths on Browns Road, McVilly Road, to the Park and Ride, and the bus stop
- making other footpath improvements surrounding the Park and Ride, including re-routing footpaths to provide a more direct connection between the bus stop and Browns Road.
Timing
We are currently assessing community feedback.
This feedback will help us understand how we improve the alternative route and when we can remove the level crossings.