Bus lanes and park and ride on the way

 

The Papakura Local Board meets for its monthly meeting tomorrow and here is the latest on transport in the area:

Papakura Local Board – 25 July 2018

Auckland Transport July 2018 update – File No.: CP2018/12300

Te take mō te pūrongo / Purpose of the report

1. To update the Papakura Local Board on transport related matters in its area, including the Local Board Transport Capital Fund (LBTCF).

Whakarāpopototanga matua / Executive summary

2. Auckland Transport has a number of projects in progress in the local area, including the development of the Papakura Park and Ride, Safer Communities project and the Bus Priority Lane project along Great South Road, Takanini.
3. The Papakura Local Board has $646,606 remaining in its LBTCF to be allocated by the end of the current electoral term.
4. Auckland Transport is investigating a number of transport related issues brought to its attention by the local board. In particular, a walkway in Central Park for commuters from the train station, lighting upgrades for the car park and walkway between Great South Road and East Street to improve pedestrian safety.
5. Other Auckland Transport activities impacting on the local board area include the following regional initiatives:

• Regional Land Transport Plan
• Gating project for Papakura station.
• Takanini Park & Ride upgrade.

Ngā tūtohunga / Recommendation/s That the Papakura Local Board: a)      receive the Auckland Transport July 2018 update report.

Horopaki / Context

6. This report addresses transport related matters in the local board area and includes information on the status of the LBTCF.
7. AucklandTransport is responsible for all of Auckland’s transport services, excluding state highways. It reports on a monthly basis to local boards, as set out in the Local Board Engagement Plan. This monthly reporting supports the important engagement role local boards play within and on behalf of their local communities on transport matters.
8. The LBTCF is a capital budget provided to all local boards by Auckland Council and delivered by Auckland Transport. Local boards can use this fund to deliver transport infrastructure projects that they believe are important but are not part of Auckland Transport’s work programme. Projects must also:

• be safe
• not impede network efficiency
• be in the road corridor (although projects running through parks can be considered if there is a transport outcome).

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu / Analysis and advice

Local Board Transport Capital Fund (LBTCF)

9. Through the Long-term plan, local boards have had an increase in available funding for their LBTCF. This has effectively doubled, with the total funding available to all 21 local boards now $20.8m per annum.
10. The allocation for the Papakura Local Board has now increased with the updated figures for the remainder of his electoral term reflected in table 1 below.
11. The Papakura LBTCF is summarized in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Papakura Local Board Transport Capital Fund Financial Summary
Total Funds Available in current political term	$2,082,843
Amount committed to date on projects approved for design and/or construction	$1,436,237
Remaining Budget left (including additional funding)	$646,606

12. Table 2 reflects the status of projects to which the LBTCF has already been committed.

Table 2: Status update on current Local Board Transport Capital Fund projects
Project	Description	Current status	Status change over last month	Funds allocated
Central Park walkway & lighting	Install pathway & lights from King Edward Road to Railway Street West through central park for commuters	Currently under investigation for rough order of costs.	Yes	N/A
Relocation of pedestrian crossing on East Street, Papakura	Investigate relocation of the East Street pedestrian crossing to improve pedestrian safety.	Concept plan completed. On hold until further funding can be secured. Currently being considered as part of the safer communities project.	None	Nil
New raised pedestrian crossing for Wood Street, Papakura	Investigate the need for a pedestrian crossing on Wood Street to improve pedestrian safety.	Concept plan completed. On hold until further funding can be secured. Currently being considered as part of the safer communities project.	None	Nil
Project 12: Papakura Greenways Plan – Elliot Street to Freelance Terrace	Develop a pedestrian and cycling link from the town centre and existing boardwalk to the new Pescara Way footbridge over SH1.	Currently with council’s Community Facilities/Parks for investigation and delivery.	None	$1,280,000
Covered Walkway	Covered walkways on Railway St West	Completed spend in this term	None	$  156,237
			TOTAL	$1,436,237

Responses to resolutions

Pathway through Central Park

13. Through a request from the local board, AT and Auckland Council’s Community Facilities department are in the process of obtaining a ‘rough order of costs’ for the development of a pathway with associated lighting from Railway Street West through Central Park to King Edward Road in Papakura.

Mobility car park painting

14. AT is currently investigating a request to add into the 2018/2019 work programme the painting of mobility carparks in the Papakura town centre to bring the carparks in line with the New Zealand mobility standards.
15. An initial site visit undertaken in early July indicate that disability car parks in Papakura are  generally compliant with the NZS 412: 2001 New Zealand standard for mobility car parks. On the site visit, it was also noted that there were at least 20 disability car parks in the general vicinity of the Papakura Train Station on Ron Keats Drive, Wood Street to Railway Street West.
16. It should be noted that the upcoming parking survey requested by the local board, will review the level of provision of disability parking throughout the town centre and determine whether provision of disability parking is compliant.

Bottletop Bay road opening

17. AT have been requested to provide information on how to address the anti-social behavior from the removal of a chain across the boat ramp at Bottletop Bay.
18. AT is currently liaising with AC Community Facilities and AC Community Empowerment Unit and will undertake a letter drop to inform local residents of the reasons why a legal road which accesses the boat ramp on Oakleigh Road, cannot be blocked off with a chain to prevent access by the public.

Local Board Advocacy

19. This section provides a regular report about how Auckland Transport (AT) is supporting the Papakura Local Board’s Advocacy Initiatives as recorded in the Papakura Local Board Plan.  The Board’s Advocacy Initiatives from the 2016-19 term are recorded in table 3.

 

 

Table 3 – Advocacy Initiative Status

Advocacy Initiative	Key Initiative	Status
Papakura’s cycleway and walkways provide safe, connected alternative routes to get us to where we need to go.	Begin implementation of the Papakura Greenways Local Paths Plan and Cycleway Plan.	Through the LBTCF, AT is currently supporting the delivery of Project 12 of the Papakura Greenway Plan.
	Establish safe, clear, walk and cycle links between key facilities.	AT is currently in the process of delivering the Safer Communities project, which aims to improve walking links in Papakura, in particular to the Papakura Train Station.
	Improve, through AT, pathway safety including lighting and accessibility.	AT is currently upgrading street lighting within the Papakura Town Centre
Public transport is safe, convenient, reliable and affordable.	Advocate to AT to improve park-and-ride facilities at the Papakura and Takanini railway stations.	AT is currently investigating the redevelopment of an expanded bus interchange and park-and-ride at the Papakura Train station.

Other Auckland Transport news

Regional Land Transport Plan Approved

20. On 20 June 2018, the Auckland Transport Board approved the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP).
21. This RLTP clearly sets out the strategic direction for Auckland Transport which prioritises road safety as the top priority with a focus on addressing congestion through public transport improvements and walking and cycling.
22. Locally, the development of Papakura Park and Ride, Takanini Park and Ride, and roading upgrades for Hingaia have been prioritised to address the future growth in the south.
23. Further detail will be provided as these projects develop.

Takanini Station Platform upgrades

24. An upgrade to the Takanini and Te Mahia Stations began on the 30 March 2018. The works to the Takanini station include a change to the profile of the platform to improve drainage and preparation for the new foundations, new lighting and CCTV with subsequent works to install standard shelters, which will bring the station into alignment with other stations on the network.
25. In Takanini resurfacing of the platform will be undertaken on the 11th and 12th August where they will strip the existing surfacing and re-profile.
26. Installation of the shelters is planned to start on the 1 September with completion expected in late October 2018.

 

 

Electronic Gating Project – Papakura train station

27. Auckland Transport is currently nearing the completion of region-wide programme to install electronic ticket gates at selected stations on the rail network, including Papakura Station.
28. This work was delayed due to contractual issues, which have now been resolved. Papatoetoe Station is due to open in mid-July with Middlemore and Parnell to be next for development.
29. The electronic gating at Papakura will follow Middlemore & Parnell and is expected to be operational by October 2018 – see table 4 below:

Table 4: July Schedule for AT Gating project

Station	Enabling works commence	Install ticket gates	The ticket gating to be in use
Middlemore	May	June	July
Parnell	July	July	July
Papatoetoe	Underway	May	June
Papakura	August	September	October

Papakura Park & Ride and Bus Interchange

30. This project is to develop a multi-storey park-and-ride in Papakura alongside an expanded bus interchange adjoining the Papakura train station.
31. This project is included in the Auckland RLTP (2018-2028), with $12m allocated for the Park and Ride in years 2018-2020, with $6m identified for the bus station interchange development currently unfunded.
32. The Papakura Local Board, through its submissions to Governing Body and the AT board have advocated for this project to be prioritised to address the impact of growth in the local area as well as the station’s wider catchment area which extends into the rural areas south of Papakura.
33. In May, this project was reported to the AT’s, Capital Review Committee, who confirmed the proposed approach to move the Papakura park & ride and bus station extension projects to a single stage business case (SSBC). This will look at issues for all access modes to the Papakura Station.
34. AT has procured the professional services of Aurecon to complete a SSBC for Papakura Rail Station access. A final recommendation for a preferred capital work program option, which will allow AT to seek NZTA funding for final design/ construction, is expected by end of 2018.
35. AT will also be working with Panuku regarding integrated development options for the wider site to get the best land use outcomes and provide a source of additional funding.
36. A workshop with the local board will be held in late July to provide an update on the progress of this project.

Pararekau Road

37. In early 2017, Pararekau Road in the Hingaia Peninsula was subject to development works by developers in the road corridor for installation of underground utilities. The work was originally delayed and impacted on a second set of work on Pararekau Road which was unable to be completed until the construction period in late 2017/ early 2018. As a result  Pararekau Road has been subject to traffic management for most of 2017 and the first quarter of 2018.
38. Damage to the road surface has resulted along Pararekau Road, which has been a concern to local residents.
39. Work by the contractors was completed in April 2018, and they were required to reinstate the road. This requirement has been challenged by the contractors/ developers resulting in a delay in the reinstatement of the road.
40. The developer / contractor was issued a non-compliance notice on 1 June 2018. If no or an inappropriate response is received by mid-July, further action will be taken to have the road reinstated to pre-existing condition or better and at no cost to Auckland Transport / ratepayers.
41. The road is currently being reviewed periodically over that time to monitor its condition.

Bus Priority Project – Great South Road, Takanini

42. An update on the Bus Priority Project was last provided to the local board in a workshop in October 2017, where the local board was presented with options for the installation of a bus priority lane/T3-3 lane.
43. The local board were supportive of the installation of the bus priority lane/ transit lanes, subject to engagement with local business owners regarding the removal of on-street parking and further work regarding peak time usage and availability for general vehicles outside peak times.
44. At that workshop, the local board also advocated for the development of an off-road shared path to replace the on-road cycle facility.
45. AT has previously reported to the local board that a separate off-road shared path sits outside the scope of this project, though their views have been considered and referred to AT’s Roads and Cycling team for future consideration.
46. Currently, the Bus Priority project is progressing and delivering several projects for bus route 33 along Great South Road. The proposal for the Takanini Section is a new bus or transit lanes on both sides of the road between Manuroa Road and Una Street.
47. AT is currently in the process of updating the scheme design and are looking to consult on this project in August / September and construct in the first half of 2019.
48. A workshop with the local board is scheduled for 25 July 2018 to provide a brief on the progress of this project

Takanini Park & Ride

49. The land adjacent to Takanini Station has for the past few years been used as an informal park and ride. This land was owned by Land Information New Zealand and through last year, was in the process of being transferred to KiwiRail.
50. AT has been working to develop Takanini into a formal park and ride, but could not confirm lease terms until the transfer of land between the Crown agencies had concluded.
51. Earlier this year, AT was able to confirm that a lease could be established and subsequently, planning and design is underway to develop the land around the Takanini Station into a formal Park & Ride.
52. Detail design was delayed and now programmed for completion at the end of July with the expectation to go to tender in August followed by construction in early October. Works are expected to be completed before Christmas 2018.
53. As part of the recent design work, inaccuracies in the mapping systems were identified and stormwater measures were reassessed to reduce risk of flooding to surrounding properties. AT are working with Healthy Waters to resolve this issue.

Safer Communities Project

54. Papakura is one of three initial trial locations for the Safer Communities Project. The Safer Communities Project seeks to improve road safety in communities and promote active modes of transport by improving pedestrian infrastructure.
55. The community feedback consultation was in October 2017 and has been used to develop a priority list of projects to improve the ‘walkability’ in and around the Papakura Town Centre. This included local board views via local board plans.
56. Analysis of the community feedback was undertaken earlier this year and has included targeted engagement with the Papakura Commercial Group, the Integrated Area Plan team for Manurewa, Takanini and Papakura, the Park & Ride project team and council’s Parks team.
57. A workshop was held on the 13 June with the local board to present the current priorities for the project and seek local board input as to whether the priorities reflect local board views.
58. Further engagement with the Papakura Commercial Group was also undertaken on the 11 July 2018. Following that meeting there was a request from elected members to form a focus group to provide feedback to the project to assist in prioritisation.
59. The result of the work of this group will be reported back to the local board prior to wider public engagement.
60. After the next set of public consultation including a further workshop with the local board, a list of priority projects will be finalised and handed over for delivery to AT’s operational teams for delivery over the next 2 years.

Lighting upgrades for Papakura Town Centre

61. AT is currently undertaking upgrading of street lighting in Papakura Town Centre, which is linked to the Safety Review for Papakura Town Centre commissioned by the local board.
62. Most recently, the lighting upgrades for the street on Railway Street West, Wood Street and Ron Keats Drive have been completed.
63. The investigations into the lighting improvements into the walkway between Great South Road and East Street are currently in progress and improvements to lighting on Great South Road where required.

Investigations into pedestrian safety measures

64. At the request of the local board, AT is investigating the feasibility of installing pedestrian safety measures to allow pedestrians to cross the eastern side of the Settlement Road/Marne Road roundabout.
65. AT is currently undertaking investigation and preliminary design for the roundabout and a report to the LB with recommendations is due in August/September 2018.

Parking Study for Papakura Town Centre

66. At the request of the Papakura Local Board, Auckland Transport is undertaking a parking study to better understand existing parking behavior, including how much of the demand is driven by park-and-ride commuters.
67. Accordingly, a comprehensive parking study is scheduled for Papakura Town Centre to be carried out between November 2018 to March 2019.  Results from this study will be reported to the local board in April/May 2019 with recommendations to be implemented in the following year.

Ngā whakaaweawe ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe /

Local impacts and local board views

68. The proposed decision of receiving the report has no local impacts.

Auckland Transport consultations

69. There was 1 consultation undertaken in the Papakura area in June 2018 period. The consultation was for relocation of a pedestrian refuge along Great South Road, Takanini.
70. A summary can be found in attachment A, appended to this report.

Traffic Control Committee resolutions

71. Traffic Control Committee (TCC) decisions within the local board area are reported on a monthly basis.  The decisions affecting the Papakura Local Board area in June are listed below in Table 5.

Table 5: TCC decision for Papakura in June 2018

Street name	Type of Report	Nature of Restriction	Committee Decision
Hollowout Street	Permanent Traffic and Parking changes	No Stopping At All Times	Approved in principle
Hunua Road, Croskery Road, Margaret Williams Drive	Permanent Traffic and Parking changes	No Stopping At All Times	Carried
Clevedon Road	Permanent Traffic and Parking changes	No Stopping At All Times, Bus Stop	Carried

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori / Māori impact statement

72. The proposed decision of receiving the report has no impacts or opportunities for Māori.  Any engagement with Māori, or consideration of impacts and opportunities, will be carried out on an individual project basis.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea / Financial implications

73. The proposed decision of receiving the report has no financial implications.

Ngā raru tūpono / Risks

74. The proposed decision of receiving the report has no risks.  Auckland Transport has risk management strategies in place for the transport projects undertaken in the local board area.
75. In terms of its LBTCF, the Papakura Local Board currently has $646,606 of unallocated LBTCF funding for this electoral term.

Ngā koringa ā-muri / Next steps

76. Auckland Transport will provide another update report to the Papakura Local Board next month.

Ngā tāpirihanga / Attachments

No.	Title	Page
A⇩	July Report – Summary of consulatation infromation sent to the Papakura local Board in June 2018	17

—-Ends—-

Source: Auckland Council

 

 

Quite a bit going on in Papakura including:

1. Bus lanes for the 33 Great South Road bus (that took a bit of effort getting that back onto to the agenda after Auckland Transport was putting it off)
2. Takanini Park and Ride (Councillor gets his election pledge)
3. Safer Communities (which did stall within the walls of AT but is going again. I was involved in the walkabouts and workshop for the Papakura Safer Communities program and am looking forward to see what the team came up with for public consultation).

Bit of activity going on further north with Manukau as well as we await the Business Case for Airport to Botany Rapid Transit (see: Rapid Transit Verse Bus Rapid Transit. NZTA Sets Tenders for Light Rail But Terminology Counts and Official Information Act Requests Return from NZTA on SH20B Improvements and Airport to Botany Rapid Transit) which when complete Papakura will be able to get to the Airport in 35 minutes compared to who know’s how long given the Southern Motorway is often a parking lot.