Ellerslie gets noise barriers
Following decades of delay Ellerslie motorway noise barriers will be installed in the middle of the year.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges said on March 2 the barriers would reduce noise for Ellerslie residents.
‘‘I’m confident that the installation of these noise barriers will significantly reduce the disturbance caused to residents by traffic noise from the motorway,’’ Bridges said.
‘‘They’re a good solution that will make a noticeable difference.’’
The announcement follows years of lobbying by the Ellerslie Residents Association (ERA), the Orakei Local Board and the Ellerslie Business Association.
Ellerslie residents association treasurer Troy Elliot said he was pleased with the outcome. ‘‘We are hoping we will have the opportunity to consult with NZTA, to have input into how the noise and pollution is controlled,’’ Elliot said.
‘‘There has been a steady increase in noise over the last few years with more traffic on the motorway as Auckland grows, but since the completion of the fourth northbound lane this noise has intensified dramatically,’’ Elliot said.
Orakei Local Board deputy chair Kit Parkinson said the board was delighted with this result. ‘‘The board has advocated for this to happen for a long time and it is excellent that Ellerslie is getting what it needs finally,’’ Parkinson said.
In November 2016 ERA secretary Bryce Bartley challenged the Transport Minister to come to Ellerslie and ‘‘see for himself’’ how bad the noise for residents was.
At the time Bartley called for immediate action reduce the impact motorway traffic noise.
In October 2016 the ERA, Findlay St and Hewson St residents established a group campaigning for NZTA to erect noise barriers.
Ellerslie Business Association town centre manager Megan Darrow also supported the addition of sound barriers. to of
‘‘Our village is the closest town centre to a motorway which makes it highly accessible, yet remains one of the few places where there are no sound barriers,’’ Darrow said.
Bridges said there were a number of steps before barriers were put in place including safety assessments, consenting, consultation with adjacent landowners and design.