Waiuku's $383k safety improvement project paused after criticism from local board
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*This story has been updated to clarify that the pedestrian crossing proposal is part of the $383,000 multi-street safety improvement project.
A $383,000 multi-street safety improvement project in the South Auckland town of Waiuku has been put on hold.
The Auckland Transport proposal has been a source of contention among the local community.
Franklin Local Board member Gary Holmes said he had major concerns about the project and it's impact on local businesses.
In particular, he was worried about the costs related to a raised pedestrian crossing which would need to see the town's main street of Queen Street needing to be closed for 30 days for work to be completed.
Holmes said the proposal has been paused following a meeting yesterday.
"I'm pleased my fellow local board members are supporting my recommendation that we pause this project," he said.
"We ask Auckland Transport to come and workshop that with the board so we can fully understand what the project entails, the cost involved and potentially other alternatives."
Auckland Transport group manager of infrastructure project delivery Mark Banfield said the cost for the raised crossing element of the project is $65,000 out of a total project estimate of $383,000.
"This is only a small part of the proposed project, which encompasses a multi-street safety upgrade scheme that also includes footpath and drainage upgrades".
"AT proposed a multi-street safety improvement project which includes works on Queen Street, George Street, Mellsop Avenue and Kent Street in Waiuku."
"Our pedestrian surveys showed dozens of unaccompanied children walk through this area on weekdays and when we engaged with the Waiuku community in April 2023 most respondents told us the changes would benefit the community."
"There have been some recent concerns raised by the Franklin Local Board and community members about the cost of the project, the time it will take to complete, along with our shared concerns about the disruption that the project will cause during construction."
"We are committed to listening and responding to the needs and concerns of our communities and balancing the disruption that comes with road construction projects against the safety and benefits they will deliver."
"Our project team will now work through these concerns and possible solutions with the Franklin Local Board in a workshop before we progress any further with this project or start construction. We will also engage with the community again on any potential changes to the proposal," Mark Banfield said.
Franklin Local Board member Gary Holmes, who has been involved in discussions about the AT proposal, said he disputes the breakdown of costs.
"I see that AT is stating that the raised pedestrian crossing part of the project is $65,000 only, well I call them on that."
"Any sort of project like that, includes consultancy fees, traffic management etc, so they're putting a spin on that which I tetc.hink is disingenuous," the Franklin Local Board member said.
The local politician is advocating for rubber alternative, which he said would cost about $100,000 and one day to install.
Holmes pointed to a similar example of a rubber raised pedestrian crossings in Australia and the success of a trial rubber roundabout which has been used in Waiuku for several years.
AT said a temporary rubber device would need to be replaced within five years.
"Waiuku already boasts one of this company's rubber roundabouts, proving the efficacy of these solutions in our community," Holmes said.
"It's time Auckland Transport stopped operating in a vacuum and started listening to common sense and embracing solutions that are better for ratepayers and better for our communities."
"Waiuku is ready to lead Auckland on pedestrian crossings, demonstrating a forward thinking approach to road safety that is both efficient and economical, without compromising on the safety of our most vulnerable road users," he said.
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