Ask Phoebe: Tall grass to be cut down for drivers

5:30 AM Thursday Dec 22, 2011

There have been many near misses at the the new Highbrook motorway offramp roundabout, particularly for those coming from Bairds Rd to travel south on the motorway. Vision is limited because of the height of the grass and flax, and so traffic builds up. Can you please find out if there are any plans for maintenance of the grass and reducing its height? Kevin Conway, Otahuhu.

Auckland Transport has sent an engineer out to have a look at the roundabout. The outer 5m radius of the vegetation will be lowered or removed.

Could you tell me please what the boxes with diagonal lines are next to a handicapped parking place? Do they indicate that you cannot park in these places? Peter Dixson, Henderson.

The yellow hatched areas next to mobility parking spaces are buffer zones that ensure other vehicles do not park too close to mobility parking spaces. This is to enable a wheelchair user to get in and out of a vehicle safely.

I would like clarification of double yellow lines on a state highway. My understanding is that we must not cross under any circumstances, even to driveways, job sites, side roads, etc. Can you elucidate please? Morris Dent, Woodhill.

A search of the road code reveals that you may cross over a solid yellow no-passing lines - if it is safe to do so - when making a turn to enter a driveway or side road. But no-passing lines are often marked in areas where visibility is limited, so care is required. It may be safer to turn further along the road, where visibility is better.

When driving from south to north it would be great if one could avoid the State Highway 1 motorway and the Harbour Bridge. Can you tell me how to travel from Manukau to Albany via the western motorways? Marie Roberts, Rotorua.

My suggestion would be to take the SH20 offramp at Manukau and follow this motorway to its current conclusion at Maioro St. Turn left at the lights at the end of the motorway and at the end of Maioro St turn right on to New Windsor Rd. At the end of New Windsor turn right on to Blockhouse Bay Rd and when you reach the traffic lights at Great North Rd, turn right. This will take you to the SH16 onramp and you can head west on this motorway as far as Westgate. Here, get on to SH18 towards Hobsonville and Greenhithe, and at the Albany Highway interchange, follow the signs for Albany.

* It appears that I supplied erroneous information on Tuesday about scooters in bus lanes. City bus lanes may be used by cyclists and riders of motorcycles and mopeds unless the sign indicates buses only. The error is regretted.

This is the last Ask Phoebe column for 2011. I wish all readers, contributors and problem-solvers a happy and safe holiday period, and thank you all for your support. The column will recommence in January.