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Waiuku's $400,000 pedestrian crossing proposal paused after criticism from local board

Gary Holmes has pointed to the use of raised rubber crossings used in Australia. Photo: Supplied A nearly $400,000 proposal for a raised pedestrian crossing in the south Auckland town of Waiuku has been put on hold. The Auckland Transport project has been a source of contention in among community leaders, with the town's main street of Queen Street needing to be closed for 30 days for work to be completed. Franklin Local Board member Gary Holmes said following a meeting on Tuesday, the proposal had been paused. "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." Gary Holmes had led calls for cheaper alternative materials for the raised crossing, advocating for a rubber raised crossing which he said was used in Australia. He estimated a rubber raised crossing could be installed for less than $100,000 and take less than a day to complete. "It's frankly astounding that Auckland Transport continues to push these exorbitant and disruptive raised table crossings when demonstrably better options exist," Holmes said. "The community is fed up with the endless road closures and the eye-watering price tags for what should be simple safety improvements." The Franklin Local Board member also pointed to the success of a trial rubber roundabout which already exists in Waiuku. "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. The rubber roundabout has been trialled in Waiuku. Photo: Supplied Auckland Transport group manager of infrastructure project delivery Mark Banfield said the project was initially in response to safety concerns raised by the Waiuku community. "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," Banfield said. AT said the construction estimate for the raised crossing was only $65,000 and "is only a small part of the proposed project, which encompasses a multi-street safety upgrade scheme that also includes footpath and drainage upgrades." They said a temporary rubber device would need to be replaced within five years with the overall cost of construction of their initial proposal to be $383,000. Gary Holmes said he disputed 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 ect, so they're putting a spin on that which I think is disingenuous." Holmes said he expected a resolution between the two parties in the coming months. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.