Refuges won’t work

ALLEN Grainger can think of 35,000 reasons why a pedestrian refuge should not be added to the street he lives on.

That is the number of traffic movements per day on a section of the four-lane Maioro St in New Windsor, on which Auckland Transport is proposing to put two pedestrian refuge islands.

Auckland Transport is considering adding the refuges to provide havens for pedestrians on the busy stretch between New Windsor and Richardson roads where there are now no crossings.

The refuges would be at 23 and 61 Maioro St. They would include pram crossings with tactile pavers, upgraded footpaths to tie in with the crossings and markings to make the crossings visible to passing traffic.

The sites were chosen because they are close to bus stops and street lights.

The proposed changes are part of an on-going ‘‘route optimisation project’’ which aims to ensure safe and coordinated operation of a road so that traffic can travel smoothly without stopping at every intersection.

Auckland Transport has sought feedback from residents.

It is in the process of assessing the feedback before making any changes or going ahead.

Mr Grainger lives on Maioro St and says the road is too busy for crossings not controlled by lights.

‘‘It’s too dangerous to get across the traffic,’’ he says.

He is also worried about Maioro St becoming busier as more motorway traffic hits it and upgrade works at nearby Tiverton Rd and Wolverton St also increasing flows onto Maioro St.

‘‘When it’s not clogged up already I believe the average speed is way more than 60kmh. People leave the motorway and don’t know it’s a 50kmh zone, especially if they’ve come straight up the motorway and don’t have to stop at any lights.

‘‘With the Tiverton and Wolverton work being done it will feed more traffic on to Maioro St as well.’’

He says there is an intersection and safe crossing 300m from his place at 23 Maioro St which would be a safer option for pedestrians.

Auckland Transport spokeswoman Sharon Hunter says the organisation is gathering and assessing feedback and is happy to receive more.

‘‘Please write submissions,’’ she says. ‘‘ We go out to consultation for a reason – this is what we think, tell us what you think.’’

Photo: JOE DAWSON Worried: Maioro Rd resident Allen Grainger says pedestrian refuges on a section of the busy street would be hazardous for crossers and would slow traffic down.