Public feedback sought for transport projects

April 18, 2006

North Shore City residents are invited review plans for bus priority measures on Northcote' s College Rd, and a new cycle lane on part of Beach Rd in Browns Bay.

The College Rd project focuses on intersection upgrades, pedestrian and off-road cycle improvements, and transit lanes. The transit lanes are part of a wider strategy to ensure buses can move quickly and easily throughout North Shore City, including to and from the Northern Busway. This will complement the Akoranga Dr and Esmonde Rd upgrades.

There are currently transit lanes on Onewa Rd, Birkenhead, and Constellation Dr, Mairangi Bay.

More transit lanes are planned on parts of the following roads: * Onewa Rd, Northcote (extension from Lake Rd to Sylvan Ave) * East Coast Rd (between Forrest Hill Rd and Sunset Rd) * East Coast Rd, Milford * Shakespeare Rd, Milford * Forrest Hill Rd, Milford * Akoranga Dr, Northcote. In addition, there are exclusive bus-only lanes planned for parts of: * Fred Thomas Dr, Takapuna * Anzac St, Takapuna * Wairau Rd, Takapuna.

The proposed Beach Rd cycle lane would form part of the city's local cycle network, which aims to link residential areas with commercial centres.

The lane is proposed to be on-road, and run uphill from the intersection of Beach and Browns Bay Rds to the intersection of Beach Rd and Argyle Rd. It will connect with the existing cycle lane markings between Browns Bay Rd and Beach Rd.

North Shore City' s transport planning manager, Kit O' Halloran, says that cyclists are among the more vulnerable road users, and cycle lanes are needed to give them dedicated road space.

"By providing cycle facilities we encourage cycling, which has positive effects on both traffic congestion and health," says Mr O'Halloran.

The current number of traffic lanes, one in each direction, would remain the same with the addition of a south-bound cycle lane. There would be some loss of on-street parking on the western side of Beach Rd to free up road space for the lane.

If you would like to have your say on either of these projects please call Actionline on 486 8600 for a copy of the brochure. Alternatively, please visit www.northshorecity.govt.nz to give us your views online.

ENDS

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