Boxed-in residents frustrated by NZTA suburban low-traffic project
A traffic safety project in an Auckland suburb has created quiet streets, but generated complaints from those who say they did not know it was happening.
Plywood boxes have blocked several thoroughfare streets in the low-traffic neighbourhood project, temporarily turning several rat-runs into cul de sacs.
It has brought criticism on Facebook pages and some drivers have negotiated the footpath to get past.
The project, with testing set to run for up to eight weeks, is funded through the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s Innovating Streets Programme, delivered by the Maungakiekie Ta¯maki Local Board and supported by Auckland Transport.
Low traffic neighbourhoods were about making streets safer and cutting down people’s car-dependency, Maungakiekie-Ta¯maki Local Board member Peter McGlashan said.
Arthur St, Onehunag, usually has about 5000 vehicles a day and has been notorious for traffic crashes.
Resident Heather Bates said the project had been divisive and frustrating for most people in the area. She lives just outside the low-traffic neighbourhood and drives to work in South Auckland.
“My travel time has more than doubled, so getting home has gone from around 30 minutes to over an hour sometimes.
“I do think at the end of the day it is a really good idea in theory. But the way it was put into place has called a lot of anxiety and division.”
Other residents were in favour of the project but agreed it came as a surprise.
Parents Sarah and John welcomed the changes. They have seen car crashes outside their house. But they agreed the messaging could have been clearer.
“It’s controversial in this area but we actually love it,” Sarah said.
The trial has come at an opportune time. Last week the Helen Clark Foundation submitted to the Climate Change Commission saying low traffic neighbourhoods were an effective and low-cost way to cut carbon emissions.
After public feedback and vehicle movement data is gathered, a decision will be made on the future of Onehunga’s low-traffic project.