Papatoetoe residents are encouraged to have their say on Auckland Transport’s consultation for the McDonald Road-Portage Road pedestrian crossing improvement between 6-20 September.
The aim is to increase pedestrian safety by encouraging lower vehicle speed when turning into McDonald Road, reducing the pedestrian crossing distance, and discouraging risky and unsafe U-turn manoeuvres at the intersection, following feedback from locals in 2022.
Local board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says these works are necessary for the safety improvements on residential streets in the Papatoetoe West area.
“We’re listening to the feedback and concerns that people told us back in October last year, which included Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and proactively working with AT to create people friendly spaces and safer ways to travel in Papatoetoe West and address speed calming measures”, says Apulu.
The proposal is an extension of the Papatoetoe West Residential Speed Management Programme where construction on this project has begun.
As part of the improvements, six parking spaces on Portage Road and three on McDonald Road will be removed and Auckland Transport are working on minimising the inconvenience as much as possible, while still creating a safer road and crossing facilities for pedestrians – particularly for children.
“This board has advocated to AT to have a focus on making the roads around our schools safer. Thousands of students and parents, residents, as well as regular vehicle traffic, use Portage Road, therefore the safety of our children along our streets is paramount”, adds Apulu.
AT are proposing to:
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Build out the kerb on McDonald Road at the intersection with Portage Road
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Install tactile pavers, which are yellow guidance paving markers to help visually impaired people to find their way at the crossing
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Paint broken yellow lines to indicate 'no-stopping- at- all-times' at the intersection to ensure cars do not block the view of people crossing the road and will improve visibility for vehicles turning out of McDonald Road.
To have your say, visit www.at.govt.nz/haveyoursay, click on South Auckland Consultations and look for McDonald Road/Portage Road Pedestrian improvements.
What happens next:
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Auckland Transport and Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board will listen to all the feedback they receive, and then decide the best way to move forward
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AT will post the outcome of this proposal and a summary of community feedback on their webpage.
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