Calls to realign Chapel Road to improve safety and to progress work around Mill Road are features of Howick Local Board’s response to the draft Auckland Regional Land Transport Plan (RTLP) 2024-2034.
The board has also emphasised how important its own Local Board Transport Capital Fund is for key safety projects.
A draft plan was open for public feedback earlier this year, with that input shaping the final RLTP, which was endorsed at the end of July.
“There’s never enough funding to do everything, so it’s vital we get critical projects to the top of the list,” board chair Damian Light says,
“Sometimes it’s about the small stuff, such as the footpaths that connect our communities to schools and workplaces.
“We’ve used our transport fund to deliver temporary gravel footpaths to close some gaps and provide safe paths for children.”
Fast and Connected
The board champions fast and connected transport, emphasising accessibility and reliability, a priority that saw 35 percent of local submissions listing it as the most important.
The completion of the Eastern Busway is crucial to that, with significant potential benefits for public transport, private vehicles, walking, and cycling, Light says.
The board supported Mill Road – now a Road of National Significance – particularly intersection upgrades at Murphys and Redoubt, and Murphys and Murphy Park Drive, to address safety concerns and accommodate growth.
“Flat Bush has developed quickly, but transport infrastructure hasn’t kept up,” Light says.
“Once minor roads and intersections now serve communities that need them to be safe and efficient. Mill Road has promised to address intersections, which need to be prioritised.”
The board also called for local road enhancements, intersection upgrades, technology to streamline traffic flow, walking and cycling upgrades, and better footpaths.
“Transport is more than just how you get around. It connects communities. Done well it unlocks employment, educational and recreational opportunities,” Light says.
“As our city grows, we need a transport plan that will deliver.”
Stay connected
Sign up to receive our Howick Local Board monthly e-newsletters.
