30 June, 2022

Calliope Rd turning lane flagged for removal

Motorists will lose the designated right-turning lane from Victoria Rd into Calliope Rd, in order to enable cyclists to gain a lane approaching the steep curve downhill, under Auckland Transport (AT) plans.

The tricky Kerr St corner, leading up to Devonport Primary School, will also be redesigned under AT’s Safe Speeds project, which is aimed at improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists in Devonport’s town centre.

The project’s approximate cost is around $2.3 million, AT staff have told Devonport-Takapuna Local Board members.

This includes an already detailed 30km/h zone, with board members briefed last week about stage two, a series of engineered traffic works. Ten locations are in for speed-calming measures.

Transport engineer Betty Diao said for cyclists coming down Victoria Rd, the aim was to provide a “dedicated place to cross the intersection without fear of getting side-swiped”. By removing the right-turning vehicle lane into Calliope Rd, more room was available on the left to install a one-direction cycle lane.

In AT’s view, any backup of cars waiting for turners in the remaining single lane on Victoria Rd, would be at tolerable levels.

Vehicles would be slowed from just south of Hastings Pde by a 30km/h sign.

In a public feedback process, AT is offering two options on where to end the cycle lane, either at Kerr St or just north of the Victoria Theatre.

The lane will not run down to the ferry, with AT counting on its other safety measures to make the main shopping street safer for cyclists. Among those measures are:

• Raised crossing tables and built-out kerbs to slow vehicles joining Victoria Rd from side streets, including at Rattray St, Fleet St and Flagstaff Tce. (Near King Edward Pde and at Kerr St raised tables are not feasible, due to stormwater pipe positioning).

• Parking and a bus stop being rejigged in places along Victoria Rd, with some spaces lost overall. (See story below).

• The approach to the ferry terminal and ferry car park by the roundabout being realigned and a separator installed to make it safer where vehicles back out of angled parks by Windsor Reserve.

• A new pedestrian crossing being installed on King Edward Pde near Church St, which is the outer edge of the Safe Speeds zone.

Public feedback is open on the plans from later this month, with construction timed for early to mid next year.

A working group, including business, community and cycling representatives, lent its advice to AT in coming up with the plan.

Targeted consultation also occurred with Devonport Primary School, Navy and other stakeholders.

The school was pretty happy with the result, Diao told board members. As well as the Kerr St corner being addressed, it had gained a raised crossing to its entrance.

Four car parks were being removed to improve visibility and a space for buses might also be provided.

Member Toni van Tonder asked if more radical plans for Kerr St had been considered, such as making it one-way to help with school pickups. Diao replied: “The road is kind of operating as a one-way because of its narrowness – if we take away parks on one side, we might have to get more engineering to slow vehicles.”

Van Tonder and board chair Ruth Jackson raised questions about driver difficulty turning out of side streets.

Jackson said it was already an issue exiting at Clarence St.

Van Tonder said when turning right from Rattray St it was hard to see oncoming traffic.

She was concerned that the new raised crossing so near the corner would make it more unsafe, with frustrated drivers inching forward on to it.

Shifting the crossing back to allow one vehicle space in front of it might be an option, she suggested.

This point could be considered in tandem with public feedback, Diao said.