A Community barbecue on Franklin road

Auckland Transport distributed leaflets to Franklin Road residents, inviting them to a barbecue on Sunday 14 August to celebrate the commencement of the Franklin Road upgrade and to meet the contractor, Brian Perry and the associated sub-contractors.

The long-awaited stage 1 construction works are scheduled to take place from 1 September starting between Wellington Street and Victoria Street East. AT will circulate a newsletter to residents on progress but for more information about where the project is at right now, go to https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/franklin-road/

Members of the Waitemata Board were there in full force as was Roscoe Thorby and councillor aspirant, Bill Ralston. Sandra and Doug Stockwell who have embarked on refurbishing the road’s last eyesore on the corner of England Street also attended.

Residents will no doubt take a collective sigh of relief that finally the project is underway and put up with with the disruption ahead that could well last for a considerable time. After all, they’ve been lobbying for improvements for simply ages! Another thought - will we have a reprieve from the Christmas Lights extravaganza this year? (DEIRDRE ROELANTS)