Latest news with #AucklandTransport
RNZ News
5 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
'Gaping holes, rusty bolts': Titirangi residents want dodgy footpaths fixed
Protuding nails and screws are a common sight on some of the footpaths on Titirangi Rd. Photo: Supplied via LDR Residents of an Auckland beachside community are frustrated with the dangerous footpaths on their roads, some which have caused severe injuries. Titirangi resident Zoe Hawkins has been trying for years to get Auckland Transport to hear their concerns for the footpaths on Wood Bay Rd, Otitori Bay Rd, Tanekaha Rd and Kohu Rd. She bashed her knee a few years ago while she was out running and tripped over wired mesh. After talking to a few other residents, Hawkins found others too have not been so lucky. "We need urgent maintenance on our wooden footpaths," Hawkins said. "I'm not talking cosmetic - I'm talking gaping holes, nails, and rusty bolts." She said the footpaths, wooden and concrete, have been deteriorating for years. Areas in the concrete path were cracked and uneven, the wooden boardwalks were slippery, had rotting wood, some with holes and loose mesh netting. Hawkins said the state of the footpaths was not ideal, especially for disabled people and mothers who take their babies out. "People are resorting to walking on the road, to avoid having to walk on these footpaths, and some who just choose not to walk at all because it's so unsafe." Teenager Annika Hogguer Mearns broke her ankle last year while out walking her dog Issy on Wood Bay Rd. Photo: Supplied via LDR Teenager Annika Hogguer Mearns broke her ankle last year, while out walking her dog Issy on Wood Bay Rd. Three metal rods were inserted during surgery, and she couldn't walk for more than a month. She was in crutches for a further two months. "I slipped on the wooden footpath, and the mesh gripping was coming off. It had been raining that day, it was slippery... was just quite a bad combination," the 17-year-old said. She said she was annoyed after the accident, because slippery, deteriorating and dishevelled footpaths were common in Titirangi. "I would just like them to be fixed so no one ends up in the same situation I was in, because it's not fun." Hawkins was calling on AT to do something, and consider longer term maintenance. "It desperately needs someone to come out, walk down the street, find the areas that are damaged and fix it. "But also, to look at a long-term maintenance plan to make sure that this doesn't keep happening." A resident says they've asked AT to do something for years, but nothing has come been done. Photo: Supplied via LDR An AT spokesperson said it has received photos of the footpaths in question from a concerned member of the Titirangi community. "But we were not provided with their specific locations," he said. "We are currently working through this to find the locations, make assessments, and then plan our next steps to fix the issues." He said AT was happy to carry out maintenance, as and when required. "We do rely on support from the public who can help us with specific reports of problems they encounter. "We advise that people call our call centre 09 355353 to report specific issues with specific locations, or use our WEB service link." This would ensure contractors were dispatched to make safe any urgent issues, and other repairs would be quantified and put on their priority based forward works program, he said. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
6 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Endorsement Secured For Karanga-a-Hape Station Project
Press Release – Auckland Transport AT Group Manager Rail Infrastructure Jane Small says AT has listened and responded to feedback from the community. Auckland Transport has found a way forward for plans to improve the area surrounding the new Karanga-a-Hape Station – a key part of the transformational City Rail Link project. It will ensure the thousands of people expected to use the station each day will find the surrounding streets easy, safe and welcoming to move through, while also allowing for future growth and development. The design of the Karanga-a-Hape Station Precinct Integration Project was revisited after an updated plan shared with the the Waitematā Local Board in April 2025 raised some concerns. It led to calls by key stakeholders for AT to reverse proposed design amendments and reinstate certain features. AT Group Manager Rail Infrastructure Jane Small says AT has listened and responded to feedback from the community. ' We take feedback from the community seriously, which is why we took time to revisit the design and engage widely,' she says. 'In a public project like this, it is challenging to satisfy everybody completely. We have worked hard to balance the different perspectives in the local community, and ensure the project aligns with plans and aspirations for Auckland's city centre, maximising the positive impacts of the City Rail Link.' 'The changes more closely mirror an earlier Auckland Transport design which prioritises walking, cycling and pedestrianised areas, while still improving access for service and delivery – retaining loading spaces in areas where we've heard they are important. 'The best part about an engaged community is that we understand the full range of views. There have been a few compromises on some elements, such as keeping the one-way traffic lane on East Street, and on the approach to upper Mercury Lane.' When the City Rail Link opens, the new Karanga-a-Hape Station will become a focal point for public transport. This project delivers both permanent and interim improvements to the streets around the new station making it easier, safer and more welcoming for pedestrians to move through the neighbourhood, while also allowing for future growth and development. The latest recommendations were reached after Auckland Transport undertook another round of engagement with key stakeholders and elected members, including several site visits. Options were assessed to ensure they aligned with strategic plans, including the City Centre Masterplan. 'We'd really like to thank the local residents and businesses for their patience and time as we worked together to find solutions,' Jane Small says. The Waitematā Local Board has now accepted the recommendations which included: Mercury Lane: Upper Mercury Lane will operate as a pedestrian space with vehicle use only permitted for access to buildings on the lane (including e.g. emergency services, residents, maintenance/construction). This will be actioned as a pilot 'traffic filter' scheme for up to two years – with the opportunity for local input before being made permanent. Electronic bollards are being installed that can be lowered by authorised users. Cross Street: retaining the loading spaces required by local businesses but adding footpaths through a boardwalk design, adding further traffic calming at the Upper Queen Street entrance, adding more lighting, and replacing some paid parking spaces with loading spaces at the eastern end of the street. East Street: retaining the existing bi-directional cycleway and the single-lane northbound for vehicles, with devices to prevent vehicle use of the cycleway, and retaining the raised table pedestrian crossing linking to the new station access laneway. Notes: The Karanga-a-Hape Station Precinct Integration Project was initiated in 2022. Other streets in the project remain unchanged including cycleways on Canada Street, Mercury Lane and Pitt Street, footpath improvements, and new bus lanes on Pitt Street. Construction is already underway on a number of these improvements with all changes set to be completed before the City Rail Link opens. AT will continue to work with the local community, with opportunities to make further changes in the future likely, as the area around Karanga-a-Hape Station continues to grow and develop. The Karanga-a-Hape Station Precinct Integration Project aims to: Make it easier, safer and more intuitive for people to move through the neighbourhood on foot, especially when using the new station entrances Connect people arriving in the neighbourhood by bike to existing cycling facilities Improve connections between buses and trains Provide better connections for users with accessibility needs The full report and recommendations can be found here About the City Rail Link The City Rail Link is the biggest and most transformational rapid transit development for Tamaki Makaurau. When it's finished Auckland will have a better, more connected transport system, making it easier to connect with people and places. Alongside increasing the number and frequency of services across the rail network, it will also improve access to the city centre via its new and redeveloped stations. There will be big cuts in journey times, trains every 5-8 minutes at peak across most of the network, more reliable trains and new easier connections – for example direct services from west to east Auckland and simple transfers to busways. It includes underground rail tunnels up to 42 metres below the city, which connect downtown's Waitematā Station (Britomart) with the Western Line at the new Mangawhau Station (formerly Mt Eden). Before the City Rail Link can open in 2026, there is a lot of work to do across the wider Auckland rail network to get it ready. This includes KiwiRail's Rail Network Rebuild, integrating, testing and commissioning of new systems and all of the work AT is doing to be ready to provide a great customer service – from developing new timetables and driver training to safety assurances and practicing running the new timetable. Bus services are being significantly improved to increase connections to the CRL and this will mean better connections across the city, including to other rapid transit like busways.
Scoop
6 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Endorsement Secured For Karanga-a-Hape Station Project
Auckland Transport has found a way forward for plans to improve the area surrounding the new Karanga-a-Hape Station – a key part of the transformational City Rail Link project. It will ensure the thousands of people expected to use the station each day will find the surrounding streets easy, safe and welcoming to move through, while also allowing for future growth and development. The design of the Karanga-a-Hape Station Precinct Integration Project was revisited after an updated plan shared with the the Waitematā Local Board in April 2025 raised some concerns. It led to calls by key stakeholders for AT to reverse proposed design amendments and reinstate certain features. AT Group Manager Rail Infrastructure Jane Small says AT has listened and responded to feedback from the community. ' We take feedback from the community seriously, which is why we took time to revisit the design and engage widely,' she says. 'In a public project like this, it is challenging to satisfy everybody completely. We have worked hard to balance the different perspectives in the local community, and ensure the project aligns with plans and aspirations for Auckland's city centre, maximising the positive impacts of the City Rail Link.' Advertisement - scroll to continue reading 'The changes more closely mirror an earlier Auckland Transport design which prioritises walking, cycling and pedestrianised areas, while still improving access for service and delivery – retaining loading spaces in areas where we've heard they are important. 'The best part about an engaged community is that we understand the full range of views. There have been a few compromises on some elements, such as keeping the one-way traffic lane on East Street, and on the approach to upper Mercury Lane.' When the City Rail Link opens, the new Karanga-a-Hape Station will become a focal point for public transport. This project delivers both permanent and interim improvements to the streets around the new station making it easier, safer and more welcoming for pedestrians to move through the neighbourhood, while also allowing for future growth and development. The latest recommendations were reached after Auckland Transport undertook another round of engagement with key stakeholders and elected members, including several site visits. Options were assessed to ensure they aligned with strategic plans, including the City Centre Masterplan. 'We'd really like to thank the local residents and businesses for their patience and time as we worked together to find solutions,' Jane Small says. The Waitematā Local Board has now accepted the recommendations which included: Mercury Lane: Upper Mercury Lane will operate as a pedestrian space with vehicle use only permitted for access to buildings on the lane (including e.g. emergency services, residents, maintenance/construction). This will be actioned as a pilot 'traffic filter' scheme for up to two years – with the opportunity for local input before being made permanent. Electronic bollards are being installed that can be lowered by authorised users. Cross Street: retaining the loading spaces required by local businesses but adding footpaths through a boardwalk design, adding further traffic calming at the Upper Queen Street entrance, adding more lighting, and replacing some paid parking spaces with loading spaces at the eastern end of the street. East Street: retaining the existing bi-directional cycleway and the single-lane northbound for vehicles, with devices to prevent vehicle use of the cycleway, and retaining the raised table pedestrian crossing linking to the new station access laneway. Notes: The Karanga-a-Hape Station Precinct Integration Project was initiated in 2022. Other streets in the project remain unchanged including cycleways on Canada Street, Mercury Lane and Pitt Street, footpath improvements, and new bus lanes on Pitt Street. Construction is already underway on a number of these improvements with all changes set to be completed before the City Rail Link opens. AT will continue to work with the local community, with opportunities to make further changes in the future likely, as the area around Karanga-a-Hape Station continues to grow and develop. The Karanga-a-Hape Station Precinct Integration Project aims to: Make it easier, safer and more intuitive for people to move through the neighbourhood on foot, especially when using the new station entrances Connect people arriving in the neighbourhood by bike to existing cycling facilities Improve connections between buses and trains Provide better connections for users with accessibility needs The full report and recommendations can be found here About the City Rail Link The City Rail Link is the biggest and most transformational rapid transit development for Tamaki Makaurau. When it's finished Auckland will have a better, more connected transport system, making it easier to connect with people and places. Alongside increasing the number and frequency of services across the rail network, it will also improve access to the city centre via its new and redeveloped stations. There will be big cuts in journey times, trains every 5-8 minutes at peak across most of the network, more reliable trains and new easier connections – for example direct services from west to east Auckland and simple transfers to busways. It includes underground rail tunnels up to 42 metres below the city, which connect downtown's Waitematā Station (Britomart) with the Western Line at the new Mangawhau Station (formerly Mt Eden). Before the City Rail Link can open in 2026, there is a lot of work to do across the wider Auckland rail network to get it ready. This includes KiwiRail's Rail Network Rebuild, integrating, testing and commissioning of new systems and all of the work AT is doing to be ready to provide a great customer service – from developing new timetables and driver training to safety assurances and practicing running the new timetable. Bus services are being significantly improved to increase connections to the CRL and this will mean better connections across the city, including to other rapid transit like busways.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Project K Decision A Triumph For The Community Voice
City Vision elected members and candidates are proud to have played a crucial role in ensuring that Auckland Transport restores the people-focused outcomes of the Karangahape Precinct Integration Project (known as Project K). In April, community backlash erupted after backroom lobbying by a small number of people resulted in a large number of changes to the widely supported project which would have undermined the goal of a safe, inviting street environment for thousands of passengers using the new Karanga-a-Hape CRL station. These changes included removing a cycleway, leaving Cross Street with a deep trench on one side and only one footpath, and opening up the area to a steady stream of traffic outside the new station entrance. Today, the Waitematā Local Board endorsed plans that largely reinstate the original designs, while providing for loading zone access on Cross Street. Waitematā Local Board candidate Connor Sharp, who has been working in recent months to bring attention to the issue, is pleased Auckland Transport has done the right thing and fixed the project. 'While a vocal minority of people almost succeeded in destroying the core goals of the project, it's heartening to see Auckland Transport listen to the wider community. They've done a great job returning the project to deliver what was promised and, in the end, Aucklanders will get a pretty decent result,' Mr Sharp says. Waitematā Local Board member Alex Bonham has been fighting for a great, people-friendly public space around Karanga-a-Hape Station since 2021. She says, 'The original proposals for the streetscape on Mercury Lane and Pitt St were pretty dreary and I knew we could do better to leverage the investment in the CRL, and staff recognised that too. With the increased foot traffic coming, we needed to improve pedestrian safety and experience, boost local business while also celebrating the culture and spirit of Karangahape Road. It was great to see Project K evolve and be supported by the local board and the whole community. It was a shock to see AT's changes appear without widespread consultation, and it is great to be able to approve today's scope of works.' Patrick Reynolds, Waitematā and Gulf candidate for City Vision, sees this result as fantastic for getting the area ready for the CRL's opening. 'Project K, like the CRL itself, is a change programme. Both are intended to lead and support improvements to land use in the whole area by uplifting its accessibility, functionality, safety, and appeal for people. To help repair the decades of decline brought on by treating these streets as nothing more than official rat-runs for drivers to other places. It's great to see Auckland Transport's plans realigned to this valuable higher strategy.' A good result here was no accident. Thankful for the many people who made an effort to reach out to Auckland Transport, Connor Sharp says, 'This demonstrates the power we all have to prevent plans from being watered down or cancelled—if we speak up.' City Vision candidates look forward to the project's completion, and to working hard to ensure all projects are delivered as promised for Aucklanders.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Auckland's Muriwai hit by slip, some properties evacuated
Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel Homes in Auckland's Muriwai have been temporarily evacuated, after a slip undermined part of Motutara Road. Fire and Emergency said the properties in the immediate area had been evacuated. Auckland Transport said the slip brought down a power pole. A spokesperson said contractors had been advised, but it was unclear when the road would re-open. Slip is directly across the road from the entrance to Houghton's Bush Camp. Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel Traffic is being redirected down Oaia Road to access Muriwai. Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel Motutara Road was closed to inbound traffic towards Muriwai at the Motutara and Murwai Road intersection. Traffic was being redirected down Oaia Road to access Muriwai. A police officer at the scene said the roadway on Motutara Road had been undermined on one side. The landslide was being assessed by a geotech engineer. Nobody had been reported as injured or missing. A power pole has come down with wires still attached. Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel Meanwhile, FENZ is also dealing with another slip in west Auckland, blocking part of Victory Road in Laingholm. It said the slip was still moving, and was blocking part of the road between Kauri Point and Warner Park. One fire crew was at the scene and another was on the way. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
