The NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport have thanked the local community for their feedback on options to improve transport connections into and out of Onehunga-Penrose, and the reliability of bus services between Māngere, Ōtāhuhu and Sylvia Park.

Auckland Transport’s Key Strategic Initiatives Project Director Theunis Van Schalkwyk says the feedback will be carefully considered by the project team as they further assess the options.

“We would like to thank people for taking the time to provide their views on the options. The information we received will assist us to further develop the options and identify improvements to take forward”

In total around 170 online or written pieces of feedback were received and over 200 people came along to open days, meetings, workshops and hui. The feedback received is now being analysed and a summary of the comments will be released in early 2015.

Key points raised in the feedback received included:

• The impact on residential and industrial properties.
• Access to and use of the foreshore.
• Important features in the area, including Gloucester Park (Hopua tuff ring), Ann’s Creek, the foreshore and Mutukaroa – Hamlins Hill, and the ability of options to diminish or enhance these areas.
• Importance of good walking and cycling facilities.
• The need for options to address transport issues over the longer-term rather than a ‘quick fix’.
• Public transport needs to be more reliable.

The Transport Agency’s Highway Manager Brett Gliddon says it is great to see so many people taking an interest in the project at an early stage.

“This feedback is important to ensure that the transport solutions we develop best meet the needs of the area. The project team will use this feedback to identify a preferred programme of works which we will seek further feedback on in early 2015.”

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