It’s likely that the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board will have voluntarily let go of the $47mill funding packet to improve traveler throughput on Lake Road, pushing the project out for at least 10 years. Let that sink in.
Why? Because 4 out of the 6 members voted in last week’s business meeting against the proposed improvement plan that has been engineered, modeled and rigorously consulted upon for the last 3 years. The body of work produced by the engineers at BECA and the Auckland Transport (AT) project team cost ratepayers just on two million dollars. When we hear the old cry of ‘more for the shore’ and ‘where are all our rates going’ I can’t help but point the finger because we seem to have a habit of stopping things in our neighbourhood, despite the battle cry for greater investment. The primary criticism of the 4 members on the proposal was that it doesn’t “fix” Lake Road. Fixing Lake Road means easing traffic congestion. They felt that the proposed design doesn't do this. And it's true, for some people nothing will change, but for many others it will make a massive difference. So what does Auckland Transport's 2020 Lake Road Improvement proposal do?
Let’s just hope AT doesn’t give up on us just because 4 of my fellow DTLB members gave it the thumbs down. It is time for a fresh approach to Lake Road – let's get it done! Documents & Links: 1. Recommended feedback on Lake Road_Aidan & Toni 2. Resolved feedback on Lake Road_4 Board Members. 3. Lake Road Improvement Plan info 4. 2020 Public feedback 5. Indicative Business Case
7 Comments
Julia Batchelor-Smith
2/7/2020 08:52:53 pm
Yes to all of this, Toni. Progression not perfection is hitting the nail on the head. Thank you for asserting your views with such compelling force.
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David Casey
3/7/2020 10:06:31 am
Hi Toni,
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Brian Giles
3/7/2020 05:24:29 pm
I also made a lengthy submission which was ignored as I expected. Lake Road will only be fixed by thinking outside the square which current transport engineers seem incapable of. Why do they insist on traffic lights instead of roundabouts? Why do they not take the school traffic OFF Lake Road and insist all drop offs and pickups occur in Winscombe? Roundabouts work in Europe if used properly and don't pulse the traffic like lights do. They even work on the Shore where they have been installed (think Lake and Anzac, Beach Haven). Close the two schools vehicular access to Lake Road. Their pedestrian traffic which uses public transport could also be accommodated in Winscombe with slight modification of routes. This means schools giving up some land. They have plenty. This would allow for cycle and car lanes (with a low physical barrier) on Lake.
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Derek Brickell
3/7/2020 09:04:15 pm
Agree!
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Chris H
21/7/2020 03:29:24 pm
Hey Toni, did you see this today from Bike Auckland ?
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Toni
21/7/2020 08:44:10 pm
Sure did. Love David's writing. He summarises it very well.
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South Aucklander
31/7/2020 08:24:59 pm
sorry - not local. got here via greaterauckland. Toni, again - sorry for your loss and well written. Readers - please get this sorted. $2m & 2 years of planning and consultation wasted. I am wishing one day my kids and i can ride the bridge - but this outcome shows that much more than Lake rd is broken. We've seen great rapid tactical urban solutions implemented overnight in Covid times - please get creative, and reclaim you mobility. nga mihi.
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toni vtElected member of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board for the 2019-2022 Election Term. |