North Shore Times (New Zealand)
PEDESTRIAN ISLAND IMPEDES TRAFFIC
WHAT HAPPENS NOW TO LARKING’S BOAT?
So what will become of Frank Larking’s boat?
After 40 - 50 years of continual use no serious accidents had been reported. However, the council deemed it a health and safety risk and removed it from the water to the beach.
It was great to see kids and adults alike hanging out on it. Then came the plywood to seal it up, then the yellow caution tape, then a series of cones and now a large fence completely blocking access to it and taking up a large portion of the beach.
One would question that if it was such a risk that it needed to be fenced then why would it not be removed. Was there a plan for the boat in the first place? Or did they just remove it and think the job is done?
So many questions. I feel that Frank’s boat has become an analogy for Auckland City, just no plan at all and if there is a plan it does not seem very well thought out. Frank Larking was the archetypal community man. His service to Hilder’s Park and Beach Haven wharf have been enjoyed by thousands over the years, including myself.
I feel as time goes on the council undermines his memory and service, and many of the other Larking types throughout the Shore.
Adrian Cox
Beach Haven In the last couple of weeks a new pedestrian island (complete with raised yellow ‘‘tiles’’ for the visually impaired) has been installed adjacent to the petrol station on Beach Rd, Browns Bay.
What this has now caused is that traffic exiting right from the petrol station forecourt area is not able to slowly drive and merge into the left hand lane of traffic before coming onto the new traffic island.
It is now necessary to come to a complete stop before getting into the line of traffic. (What happened to ‘‘merge like a zip’’?) Traffic travelling north along Beach Rd wanting to enter the petrol station area from the right is now hindered somewhat by the traffic island, especially anyone with a longer vehicle or towing.
The location of this island is not where a reasonable number of people cross the road. Just how much did this cost, and why was it necessary at all?
D Cook
Torbay
CAR PARKS VERSUS CYCLING SPACE
How much must it cost to construct a major through road in Auckland. I would expect the cost to be horrendous, but we must have highways to enable the traffic to flow freely.
Why then do we allow the inside lane on many of our major roads to be used as free car parks?
A good example of this is Hurstmere Rd, cars parked along the western side of this road force cyclists into a very dangerous position into the centre of the road.
Often two lanes could be formed if these parked cars were not present.
No wonder their are so many single occupant cars clogging our roads when parking is either free or very cheap.
Vince West
Milford
HAVE YOUR SAY
Letters should not exceed 250 words and must have full name, residential address and phone number. The editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or withhold any correspondence without explanation. Letters may be referred to others for right of reply before publication. Email: nsnews@snl.co.nz Mail: North Shore Times, PO Box 79, Orewa.