Leigh zebra crossing anger

Leigh residents are fuming that Auckland Transport (AT) has ignored local feedback over plans to install a raised zebra crossing on Hauraki Road outside the general store.

More than 70 people responded when AT asked for views on the proposal in May, with the majority saying the crossing should be closer to Leigh School and level with the road surface, instead of incorporating a 100mm hump.

However, in an email on June 30, AT said it would be carrying on with its original plans.

“After reviewing all of the feedback we received, this project will proceed without changes to the next stage of detailed planning,” the email said.

AT maintained that placing the crossing nearer the school would be dangerous, as then it would be on the brow of a hill, making it difficult for approaching motorists to see. To those who said placing the crossing at the four-way intersection between Hauraki Road and Cumberland Street was also dangerous, AT said it would make the crossroads safer by slowing traffic down.

Suggestions that a crossing be placed at each school entrance, in Hauraki Road and Seatoun Avenue, were also dismissed by AT.

“Currently, we are not looking at installing a second crossing or move (sic) the proposed one away from both the school and businesses.”

AT’s response prompted a wave of anger from Leigh residents, many of whom accused them of arrogance and only seeking public feedback as a box-ticking exercise.

Tony Enderby said the crossing, which would also result in the loss of parking spaces outside Leigh General Store, would be a waste of money, sited 80 metres down from the main school entrance.

“People will park over it to get to the shop, or just cross the road nearer the school,” he said. “People will do what they will here. It’s not an urban environment.

“It’s just a complete and utter waste of money. We only ever wanted a crossing for the school kids.”

Bill Foster has written to Rodney Local Board, which is funding the crossing from its transport targeted rate, urging it to reconsider.

“The local board should tell AT that unless they start listening to the local community, they will withdraw funding,” he said.

“If AT wants to force its policies and ideology on us, they can pay for it themselves out of our normal rates.”

He said Leigh would be better off with no crossing at all than what was being proposed.

“We’d much rather they put money into something the community wants, like filling in potholes.”

Rodney Local Board member Geoff Upson was also unhappy. A long-time campaigner for road safety, maintenance and what he sees as unnecessary speed limit reductions, he said the 100mm height of the crossing was higher than the standard 75mm used, and would be dangerous for many vehicles and those towing boats to Leigh Wharf.

Upson, together with other local board members including Michelle Carmichael and Ivan Wagstaff, was hoping to have the matter raised at the next monthly meeting, which will be held on Wednesday July 19 at 3 Elizabeth Street, Warkworth, at 10am.