Bernard Orsman at the NZ Herald has written a series of articles in January 2024 and February 2024 covering the the situation with the Three Kings raised pedestrian crossing on Hayr Road in Auckland.

Based on this reporting, here is a quick summary of this case:

  • Auckland Transport (AT) replaced a “raised pedestrian crossing” (a.k.a, a “raised safety platform” or “raised crossing”, or flat-topped speed hump) with a old-style, “standard”, flat, zebra crossing on Hayr Road in Auckland.
  • The “raised pedestrian crossing” was installed in 2022 at a reported cost of $463,000.
  • A resident is claiming that the raised crossing was sneakily installed as part of a new bus stop without the local residents being informed of the new speed hump.
  • Claims have also been made by a resident of vibrations causing property damage and the raised crossing contributing to a neighbour’s flooding issues.
  • Several complaints about the excessive “noise and vibration” from heavy vehicles going over the raised crossing were sent to AT.
  • Residents also complained to the Puketāpapa Local Board in September 2023.
  • In early, 2024 the “raised pedestrian crossing” was removed and replaced with a flat zebra crossing, at a estimated cost of  $133,000 for the three-week-long “reinstatement” project.

Here are the main articles in the series:

Headline: Auckland Transport rips up new pedestrian crossing in Three Kings due to ‘excessive noise’

Authored by:Bernard Orsman

Published on: 26 January 2024

Published by: NZ Herald, NZME Publishing Limited

Link:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-pedestrian-crossing-ripped-up-by-auckland-transport-in-three-kings-because-of-excessive-noise/XO5ZSWQNTJDFHOEX6ZXKEIN4VU/

Archived Link:

https://web.archive.org/web/20240127055644/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-pedestrian-crossing-ripped-up-by-auckland-transport-in-three-kings-because-of-excessive-noise/XO5ZSWQNTJDFHOEX6ZXKEIN4VU/

 

Headline: Auckland Transport spends $600,000 to install pedestrian crossing and rip it up to reinstate road in Three Kings

Authored by:Bernard Orsman

Published on: 2 February 2024

Published by: NZ Herald, NZME Publishing Limited

Link:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-transport-spends-600000-to-install-pedestrian-crossing-and-rip-it-up-to-reinstate-road-in-three-kings/WANBSCBTT5GKJGBDJAJJ63562U/

Archived Link:

https://web.archive.org/web/20240214075622/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-transport-spends-600000-to-install-pedestrian-crossing-and-rip-it-up-to-reinstate-road-in-three-kings/WANBSCBTT5GKJGBDJAJJ63562U/

 

Headline: ‘Living nightmare’: Neighbour speaks out on Auckland Transport’s pedestrian crossing debacle in Three Kings

Authored by:Bernard Orsman

Published on: 6 February 2024

Published by: NZ Herald, NZME Publishing Limited

Link:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/living-nightmare-neighbour-speaks-out-on-auckland-transports-pedestrian-crossing-debacle-in-three-kings/VTKSRTLWXVFIXPLMVV3PAZ7KHQ/

Archived Link:

https://web.archive.org/web/20240206013042/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/living-nightmare-neighbour-speaks-out-on-auckland-transports-pedestrian-crossing-debacle-in-three-kings/VTKSRTLWXVFIXPLMVV3PAZ7KHQ/

 

[Editor’s note: We recommend those interested in local government issues,  particularly Auckland issues and transport issues related to “traffic calming”, to look at the collection of recent articles by Bernard Orsman, including highlights (or lowlights) such as…

“Commerce Commission cartel conduct case: Two Auckland subcontractors involved in NZ’s first criminal prosecution”

“Auckland Transport boss dodges questions on failure to complete roadworks on Meola Rd”

“Auckland Transport building 28 pedestrian crossings on a project, despite review to cut numbers and costs”

“Average Auckland household facing extra $613 for rates and water bills this year under council’s long-term plan”

“‘Temporary cash deficit’: Auckland Council set to approve $130 million bailout of Watercare”