The economic prosperity of a city and the safety of, and convenience for, the people walking its streets are directly linked. Every retail trip involves a walk (or wheel), even if it is just through the shop door, so attracting foot traffic is vital.
There are now eight raised speed tables on side streets, kerb extensions and street furniture improving the attractiveness of the street. All that’s remaining to complete is planting a tree and the installation of a bin on the corner of Collingwood Street.
The work had its challenges. Finding uncharted underground services impacted on timeframes and budget, and Auckland Transport and its contractors have learned a few things about delivering a project efficiently and to a high standard without negative impacts on businesses and the community.
Feedback on the project has been positive. The speed tables are slowing drivers and creating a more welcoming environment. There are also more pedestrian refuges for crossing Ponsonby Road, but efforts to create safe conditions for people walking and riding the Strip need to continue, and I know there are ongoing concerns the 40km speed limit is not being enforced.
We are facing a road safety crisis across the city, with more pedestrians being killed. In the past three years, deaths and serious injuries on our roads increased at almost triple the rate of the rest of the country and at five times the growth of travel.
It’s so bad that of 29 cities worldwide, Auckland has the second highest pedestrian fatality rate. There are many factors, but a recent Auckland Transport safety report found speeding, inadequate investment in safe infrastructure, increased interaction between different road
-users and reduced levels of enforcement all contributed.
It is going to take communities, council and government working together to bring about a new approach to road safety, including no longer accepting road deaths as an inevitable consequence of our transport system (known as Vision Zero).
The Government recently announced, as part of its Policy Statement on Land Transport, that transport funding would prioritise safety. The Local Board, Auckland Transport and Auckland Council are committed to improving safety by adopting a Vision Zero approach that seeks
a paradigm shift in the way we design for safety and embrace a road safety culture.
Following on from the 10-year budget Have Your Say events, consultation has started on Auckland Transport’s Regional Land Transport Plan, the 10-year investment plan to respond to the growth and challenges we face in the next decade.
You can contribute on what you think are the priorities for transport funding by visiting akhaveyoursay.nz between 1 and 14 May. Consultation documents at libraries, service centres and local board offices. (PIPPA COOM)
Email akhaveyoursay@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz for more information
Have your say session Saturday 12 May, 2pm-4pm: Grey Lynn Library Hall, 474 Great North Road, Grey Lynn.