LETTER TO THE EDITOR - Parking Woes

I am a property owner in Brown Street, Ponsonby, and have lived in my heritage home for over forty years.

Twenty plus years ago, Ponsonby Central opened, and more recently, it underwent an extension that included a basement car park and four levels of office space above. My neighbors and I participated in the resource consent process and raised concerns about the adequacy of parking. However, we were informed that under the new Unitary Plan, there was no requirement to provide any parking at all.

Additionally, the council has metered parking on both Ponsonby Road and Brown Street. However, little consideration was given to truck deliveries or designated short-term parking for food delivery drivers, such as Uber Eats, and passenger drop-offs.

As a result, residential driveways are frequently used for temporary parking, especially on busy nights from Thursday to Sunday. Recently, as an example, while washing my car outside my home, I witnessed four cars pulling over my neighbour’s driveway within a short period. Each time I asked a driver to move, another would arrive within minutes. These vehicles often remain for 5–10 minutes, sometimes longer. While I occasionally allow it, I do not permit commercial Uber drivers to use my driveway in this manner. AT has advised residents themselves and their visitors that they cannot park over their own driveways. 

Approximately 3–4 years ago, I raised these concerns with the local board and Auckland Transport, pointing out that despite Ponsonby Central housing over 25 food outlets and a function centre, no designated Uber food/beverage pickup or drop-off zones exist. With the growing demand for food delivery services, as well as bar and restaurant patrons requiring transport, vehicles commadeer local driveways or just stop haphazardly—blocking bus stops, obstructing the entrance to Brown Street, and disrupting traffic flow. Auckland Transport and the Council have not kept up to date with modern food delivery/pickup developments and the obvious pull-up zone resource such services require. 

At the time, I was told a local traffic management and parking plan update was under way, but I never received a follow-up.

I urge the local board and council to take action by converting a few metered car parks into designated 2–3 minute pickup/drop-off zones. The ongoing lack of regulation negatively impacts residents' amenity, and the council has yet to address the evolving parking and delivery demands in the area.

After 6 p.m., our street often turns into a parking free-for-all, with footpaths and residents' access being repeatedly obstructed.

Russell Hoban
Ponsonby

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