Clearways seen to be working

The new Mana Esplanade clearways have been ‘‘free of incident’’ and are running smoothly, New Zealand Transport Agency said after they came into effect last week.

The clearways replaced the oft-maligned T2 lanes on February 29, in order to make this section of State Highway 1 ‘‘more simple, user-friendly and freeflowing, while improving safety’’, NZTA State Highways manager Rod James said. The clearways will be in effect during peak hours.

Additional traffic lights and electronic signs have also been erected, to aid access to Marina View.

The T2 lanes were introduced six years ago as part of a $34 million upgrade to encourage motorists to car-pool and improve traffic flow. The new clearway system has cost $1.6m and will be policed by closedcircuit television, Mr James said.

Illegally parked cars will be towed away at their owners’ expense.

After three days of the clearways, NZTA was able to report everything was going ‘‘very smoothly, free of incident’’ but continual monitoring will be carried out to see how Porirua residents and SH1 travellers are coping with the changes. The new rules are: No parking in the southbound kerbside lane Monday to Friday (except public holidays), from 6.30am to 9.30am and Sunday and public holidays, from 3.30pm to 6.30pm, except for emergency vehicles and passenger service vehicles picking up or setting down passengers at bus stops or parking bays

No parking in the northbound kerbside lane Monday to Friday (except public holidays) from 3.30pm to 6.30pm and Saturday from 11.30am to 2.30pm, except for emergency vehicles and passenger service vehicles picking up or setting down passengers at bus stops or parking bays.