Link road opening
The media statement from Auckland Transport (AT) released on May 11 stated, “Even if the SH1/Matakana Link Rd intersection works were completed before the new motorway opens, I’m told that opening up Matakana Link Road to the public before Ara Tuhono – Puhoi to Warkworth was completed would introduce a significant amount of new traffic and congestion at peak times to SH1, north of Hudson Rd, which would still be under construction”.
What are the peak times referenced here and whose perspective is this? Are we talking about those of us who use this road every day to commute to school, work or the local supermarket, or is it those who use the State Highway on the occasional weekend or public holiday day?
What ‘you’ [Auckland Transport] have been ‘told’ is not logical and appears to be inconsistent with that rare beast called common sense.
Opening the link road will remove some of the existing traffic from Hill Street and re-route it through Hudson Road (effective for some of those travelling to/from Matakana to west of Warkworth). It will also remove some of the traffic to/from Matakana and Mahurangi East (Sandspit/Snells/Algies) that is currently turning right at Hill Street and going north.
It will not change/increase the volume of traffic going north and have no significant effect on ‘local’ traffic movements at Hudson Road, beyond what is anticipated when this finally is opened, as the infrastructure there is not being altered as part of, or contemporaneously with, Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth.
At this point, any measure that reduces the number of traffic movements through Hill Street will be embraced, appreciated and lauded by the communities who require transit through this intersection.
We need to know what can be done to have this decision reviewed so that the Matakana link road can open at the earliest opportunity.
Steven Garner, Rodney Local Board
Paver complaint
Surely this is not acceptable?
Why haven’t the pavers been replaced around this new signpost on the corner of Neville and Baxter Streets in Warkworth?
I believe most of us living in Warkworth do our best to keep it looking nice and tidy, obviously not Auckland Council.
Would any of us accept this as a repair on our own property – I don’t think so, so why should we accept it in our town.
Would Auckland Council please come back and finish the job and put the footpath back as it was before the sign went in.
Les Pain
Editor: Auckland Transport was invited to comment on this letter, but did not respond.
AT at Leigh
With reference to your article about speeds in Leigh (MM Apr 25), Auckland Transport seems to have lost the plot, or they have failed to really review the circumstances associated with their planned 30kph speed limitation.
The 30kph speed limit on Leigh Road would start about two kilometres before the Leigh Fire Station. All they need to do is put in a sensor just before the Leigh Fire station, which then flashes a speed limit of 40kph (as for all school zones). At the Pakiri end of Seatoun Avenue, they can also install a sensor that triggers a flashing 40kph speed limit.
Also, when you travel up Hauraki Road from the Leigh boat ramp, near the school boundary, another flashing 40kph speed limit sign could be triggered.
J Cranston, Point Wells
