Auckland Transport will shift the crossing about 30 metres and signalise it, after Somerville Intermediate said traffic was making school patrols hard to run safely
Auckland Transport plans to replace the pedestrian crossing on Meadowland Drive with a signalised crossing, after Somerville Intermediate School raised concerns about the safety of children using it.
“We heard concerns from Somerville Intermediate School about the safety of tamariki and the community,” the agency says on its project page.
“More people are crossing the road during school pick up times.”
“Traffic can make it hard to do school patrols safely.”
The existing crossing sits opposite Meadowland Park and would be replaced by a new signalised crossing about 30 metres down the road.
Auckland Transport says the crossing is heavily used, particularly at pick-up time, and that signalising it will make it safer to cross and clearer for drivers about when they must stop.
High friction surfacing would be laid to help drivers pull up.
Broken yellow lines near the old crossing would be removed, with new ones added at the corner of Alicia Road and Meadowland Drive.
Pram crossings and tactile paving would go in for people using prams or mobility aids, and the footpath would be widened on both sides of the new crossing.
Parking changes come with the work.
About two spaces would go at the Alicia Road corner and two outside 32 Meadowland Drive, while six would be added on Meadowland Drive along with further spaces back along the street.
Auckland Transport says that overall there will be no loss of parking.
Howick Local Board member Jack Collins welcomed the proposal.
Collins made the same point on parking, saying some spaces would be relocated but that Auckland Transport advised there would be no overall loss of on-street parking, with new spaces created nearby.
“It’s positive to see Auckland Transport engaging with Somerville Intermediate School to better understand the safety concerns around this location, particularly given the large number of students who cross here each day,” Collins said.
He said the community should get a proper look at the plans.
“I encourage residents, parents, and anyone who regularly uses Meadowland Drive to take a look at the proposal and share their views with Auckland Transport,” he said.
The project is at the planning stage and both start and end dates are still to be confirmed.
The agency says it will let the community know before work starts “so there are no surprises”.
Somerville Intermediate is a Travelwise school and already runs its own measures at the school gate.
Its Loop Road is closed to general traffic between 7.45am and 8.45am and again between 2.45pm and 3.45pm each school day, apart from buses, shuttles and students needing assistance.
The school asks parents to park on the school side of Meadowland Drive and Somerville Road wherever possible so children do not have to cross at all.
Pupils cycling up Meadowland Drive are told to walk their bikes out through the walkway and use the crossing.
Auckland Transport says the work will also improve access along the shared path, connecting people to shops, the school and nearby community facilities.
