The proposed improvements come after the community raised concerns about the safety of the intersection for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.

In response to those concerns, Council officers have investigated and are proposing safety improvements:

• Installation of three (3) new raised zebra crossings, one each on Rhodes St, Russell Terrace and Mansfield St to improve the safety and accessibility of pedestrians and cyclists crossing the intersection.
• Installation of speed cushions on Riddiford St to reduce vehicle speed approaching to the intersection.
• Creating a central refuge island as part of the new crossings on Rhodes St and Mansfield St to further improve pedestrian safety, by reducing the exposure time of pedestrians to traffic when crossing.
• Installation of a No Stopping at All Times sign approaching the new crossings to improve sight visibility and safety at the pedestrian zebra crossing.

Background

Waka Kotahi’s Crash Analysis System (CAS) shows the intersection has a high safety issue, with eight injury crashes, and 11 non-injury crashes occurring in the past 10 years (2010-2020), incurring a substantial social injury cost of $3.08M.

The initial community engagement in August 2021 highlighted significant safety concerns with the intersection. Most respondents expressed discomfort with the current state of pedestrian safety. Problems have been confirmed as below:

• Limited accessibility and facilities for pedestrians to cross the roads at this location
• High vehicle speed reduces safety and access for pedestrians and cyclists and
• Vehicles’ failure to give way forms an unsafe environment for all road users

What will happen next

After the initial engagement, our team will access the feedback and come back to the community with any changes, and the next steps. We will be incorporating public feedback into a detailed design between- Dec 2023 – Mar 2024. Final changes will be decided in a formal Traffic resolution, with works commencing in the first half of 2024.