No quick solution to parking

Despite calls for action, a solution to stop commuters parking in a way that impedes buses and blocks a business entrance, is still a while away according to Auckland Council.

Cars parked behind yellow lines, on berms and on traffic islands in the middle of the road create a tight squeeze for buses entering Akoranga bus station from Takapuna Landing, off Fred Thomas Drive.

Bus drivers, a business owner and DevonportTakapuna Local Board member Michael Sheehy have all raised concerns with council about the existing situation.

Takapuna Landing is not officially classified as a road, so Auckland Transport is currently powerless to issue infringement notices.

Auckland Council’s acting head of operational management and maintenance Simon Randall said: ‘‘At this stage, Auckland Council does not have a confirmed plan for the Takapuna Landing area. We are currently in the preliminary investigation stage and are considering different options; however, nothing has been finalised.’’

In August, a bus driver said things had got so bad at Akoranga bus station that some bus drivers were forced to alter their route to bypass the usual entrance.

The local board suggested a fix of installing rocks or large tree planting, along the grass verge and centre island, until the area is formalised as a legal road, but Randall would not confirm if this was going ahead.

Takapuna resident Ken Gayfer contacted AT about the parked cars numerous times last year. In a letter to AT in June 2016, he stated his concerns as: ‘‘The cars are parking right up to the edge of the driving range exit road and make it impossible to see, and safely exit, because approaching traffic is obscured from the left and right by parked cars. It will only be a matter of when, not if, there is a serious, possibly fatal accident resulting from this practice unless there is positive action to rectify this situation.’’

In response AT said: ‘‘Our Parking Compliance team are aware of the issue. We will continue to actively patrol this location and we hope to see a change in parking practices.’’

SUPPLIED Birkenhead College students Josh Skulve, left, Dagmara Rudolph, Connor Ward and Josh Jeffers took out the Vector ePro8 challenge in Auckland.

FELICITY REID Cars parked on yellow lines outside Akoranga Bus Station cause problems for bus drivers.