Loss of car park questioned for south Auckland road works

Members of a south Auckland community are concerned about the loss of more than 20 car parks for road works.

Removing parks is part of Auckland Transport's drive to reduce crashes at the Hill Rd and Claude Road intersection in Manurewa, near the motorway onramp.

The improvements included traffic lights to control the flow of traffic, especially for drivers turning onto Hill or Claude Road.

Local board Manurewa chair Matt Winiata said they wondered why 23 parking spots needed to be removed.

“We support the project and its aims but wonder if we couldn’t achieve the same outcomes without the loss of parking," he said.

“Our concerns around signals being synced with other nearby ones have already been addressed, AT doing great work to ensure efficiencies are maximised and congestion minimised.”

A resident who presented a deputation to the local board at the November meeting said the loss of car parks, 14 of them on Hill Rd, felt like a waste.

"Because the current situation allowed for dual way through, for the left way turn as well".

She said if there was a left-hand turn filtered by a light, it would make huge improvements anyway.

Photo/RNZ/Cole Eastham-Farrelly

"So the backing up of traffic along Hill, heading east, is going to be eased.

"The recommendation I'd like to make is to put traffic monitor cables and see if there is even an issue, is traffic actually building up there?

"Because it feels solely to be during peak traffic in the morning."

She said if AT monitored current traffic, they'd see there was no need for loss or limits to parking, no additional signage or costs, and no enforcement.

"Retain the parking, don't remove it. Despite the actual improvements being made, and just check to see if its an issue.

"Is there on-street parking, then there is a problem. Or, if it is, using the traffic cables to make that clearway on time limit, heading east."

Winiata said AT also reported back on concerns from Randwick Park residents about excessive speeds around Hyperion and Riverton drives.

Randwick Park residents feared a child could be seriously injured, or worse, killed if steps weren't taken to reduce the speed of drivers on their streets.

“Residents sought advice around speed control measures, AT suggesting driver feedback signs were likely to be ignored by speeding drivers, who appeared to have little regard for road rules," Winiata said.

AT suggested physical measures such as speed cushions and chicanes and would investigate further.

Winiata said the board also asked AT to investigate engine braking restrictions in residential areas throughout Manurewa.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

Photo/Stuff/Tom Lee