As featured last month a small neighbourhood playground in Sackville Reserve has been refurbished with new equipment and improved access.
We're really proud to continue our ongoing support for the Franklin Road Lights with a grant of nearly $9000 that is used for the opening night celebrations. The residents have had a year of disruption due to the Franklin Road upgrade project construction so we really appreciate that they are still willing to turn the festive lights on again at their own cost for all Aucklanders to enjoy.
In September 2017 I wrote in my Ponsonby News update that Waitemata was set to be the winner from a significant package of walking and cycling projects due to be completed by the end of this year. A funding boost from central government through an 'urban cycling fund' first announced in 2014 had made the new investment possible.
As is well known, the Grey Lynn and Westmere project known as Waitemata Safer Routes (comprising two routes - on Richmond Road through the West Lynn shops and from Surrey Crescent to Garnet Road) turned into a 'fiasco' that failed to live up to community expectations. There is a lot to look back on that went wrong with Auckland Transport's approach. Starting the consultation during the election period in 2016 was opposed by the local board. We also didn't support the location of a bus stop in West Lynn and the compromised design that put the cyclepath on the berm.
Fortunately, the lessons have been taken on board. A far more robust engagement process got underway earlier this year with Auckland Transport setting up two community liaison groups, carrying out an independent safety audit and collaborating with urban design experts who live locally. Auckland Transport has now started consulting with the wider community. The proposed new designs are for far more than a cycleway project. It is a holistic complete streets approach that will improve accessibility, safety and local amenities for everyone. Safer, better connected streets are also good for business.
However, we know already there are concerns about further disruption and the impact on local businesses. There are also concerns about the relocation of bus stops and the failure to address the urgent fixes needed. We all want to be reassured that Auckland Transport is delivering good value for money. The current budget estimates for the consultation proposals is $17-22m against a budget of $7.8m so the feedback will help identify priorities to be progressed next year. The Local Board will not be forming an official position on the design, priorities or giving feedback until we've heard the results of the public consultation.
More details are on the project web page AT.govt.nz/haveyoursay. Feedback is open until 14 December. Nga mihi o te wa. Season's greetings on behalf of all the members of the Waitemata Local Board.
(PIPPA COOM)