PRESS RELEASE

Intersection Changes Endanger Cyclists

New re-designed intersection and pedestrian crossing facilities have been completed in Kingsland, but disadvantage cyclists including local school students.

The roadway outside Kingsland’s Kowhai Intermediate School has just received a newly re-designed intersection incorporating pedestrian crossing facilities and remodelled traffic lanes at the Sandringham and Onslow Roads intersection.

Installed by Auckland City Council’s contractors, this redesigned intersection has been carried out to slow traffic turning into Onslow Road and to improve pedestrian safety especially for Kowhai students. The works will achieve these important objectives, but in the process have made cycling through the intersection much more dangerous.

“This intersection gets an A for slowing vehicles and improving pedestrian safety, but a E for cycling safety,”said Phil Chase, Eden Albert Community Board member and traffic spokesperson.

“Cyclists have been forgotten in this upgrade. It was the perfect opportunity to provide a protected cycling left turn and it’s been missed. Cyclists are now forced out into the traffic stream when turning left, considerably increasing the dangers they face. We have a school with 100’s of students and potential cyclists, and nothing has been done to make their cycling any better here. It’s an opportunity lost”

“We have to wonder why the Council planners didn’t copy the excellent upgrade to Carrington and Woodward Roads which has just been completed. The Community Board will now have to find the money and means to re-do this work, in order to make the intersection safe for all users. It’s just a shame we don’t get things done properly the first time.”

ENDS