A busy east Auckland intersection is set to be modified following concerns being raised by a local resident who describes it as “dangerous”.
As the Times recently reported, a woman who lives near the intersection of The Boulevard and Fisher Parade in Sunnyhills believes it has “confusing and dangerous give-way priorities”.
The resident, who doesn’t want to be identified, has raised her concerns with Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown, Transport Minister Chris Bishop, Auckland Transport (AT) chief executive Dean Kimpton, Howick ward councillors Sharon Stewart and Maurice Williamson, Saint Kentigern College principal Damon Emtage, and Howick Local Board chairperson Damian Light.
She wants AT to change the intersection from a give-way to a slightly raised roundabout and says with more vehicles coming and going from the nearby school, coupled with increasing housing in the community, there will be more crashes if no action is taken.
The woman says the “poorly designed intersection” has become busier since Saint Kentigern College added a large new car park on its grounds nearby.
Her son’s vehicle collided with another car at the intersection earlier this year, leaving both damaged.
“This was a terrifying experience for both drivers and has resulted in our family car being written off,” she said.
“I’ve also had several near misses, as has everyone who lives around here, and I see so many cars not even slowing down, let alone give way.”
In April AT told the Times: “We reviewed this intersection in the past and were satisfied the current design was operating relatively safely at the time without any reported crashes for over five years.
“We note the new car park has since altered traffic patterns and acknowledge the concerns that have been raised.
“We hear and are responding to these concerns, with plans to monitor this intersection in the coming weeks.
“We’ll then analyse these findings and investigate whether there are changes that could be made to the intersection’s design.”
In a recent update to the Times, AT traffic engineering team leader south Danny Xu says following an investigation into concerns raised by the community, it’s proposing to modify the intersection by removing the unconventional give-way on Fisher Parade and making The Boulevard a standard ‘stop’ to traffic.
“The proposed modification is expected to better suit the changing traffic pattern and enhance visibility at the intersection for safety.
“AT will review and analyse feedback received from the public consultation with the Howick Local Board to determine the next steps.”
The concerned resident says she’s glad the public had the chance to submit feedback on AT’s proposal, as she isn’t convinced it will address the problem.
“By allowing traffic to flow freely from Manor Park straight ahead onto Fisher Parade (and vice-versa) at this intersection, cars will continue to speed along here, as they currently do when ignoring the current give-way signs.
“I’ve spent a lot of time observing this intersection and witnessing the very poor driver behaviour.
“We don’t just need to ensure drivers give way appropriately but that they also slow down.
“There are already several speed bumps on The Boulevard and Fisher Parade because of the need to slow traffic down.
“I still prefer the idea of making this a slightly raised roundabout, which will make all drivers slow down but still allow large heavy vehicles to turn.
“With AT’s option it will make it much harder for drivers wishing to turn right at the bottom of The Boulevard and I’m not sure residents of the area will be too thrilled with this.
“In fact, it will make it extremely tricky for residents of the apartment block to access their properties.
“Hopefully a lot of local residents will take the opportunity to have their say, and we’ll see a safer intersection in the near future.”
