Ask Phoebe: Signals turning short drives into nightmare

Too many traffic lights is not the issue, rather the number of access points on a busy road. Photo / Michael Craig

Number of entry points on New Lynn roads dictate use of lights.

There is an abundance of traffic lights in the New Lynn/Glen Eden areas. Driving from Glen Eden to Kingsland, I counted 33 sets of traffic lights. Is there any restriction on how many sets of traffic lights can be added? Even more traffic lights have been installed in New Lynn, making this area an absolute nightmare to drive through.
Megan Birch, Glen Eden.

A spokesman for Auckland Transport says that traffic lights are installed for safe movement where there are conflicting demands on the roads from motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Too many traffic lights is not the issue, rather the number of access points on a busy road.

In old established areas like New Lynn/Glen Eden, traffic operations are constrained by small sections and multiple access points so the close spacing of intersections is unavoidable.

Removing access is generally not possible and in the New Lynn area there is the added constraint of the rail lines.

If Auckland Transport removed access points people would need to take an alternative route and as a consequence traffic would increase at other intersections.

If the traffic lights were replaced by roundabouts, as many commuters advocate, Great North Rd would resemble, from the air at least, a badly-tied sausage, and little advantage would be gained, in my opinion.

•I have received an update on the Franklin Rd footpath repairs. A reader has been told by Auckland Transport that it is in the process of planning a major upgrade project for Franklin Rd which will include drainage, tree pits, kerb and channelling, the re-building of the road and re-laying of footpaths. Work on this project should begin in the second half of this year.

•Roxy Terrace in Glendowie was previously known as Roxburgh Terrace or Street, and gazetted in 1937, when it was described as "100 yards long with one residence". The name changed to Roxy Terrace in 1939. (Source: Auckland City libraries database).

•And a further update on the roll-out of the AT Hop card to bus services in Auckland. After extensive testing, the roll-out is planned to start with Urban Express bus services next month. Birkenhead Transport, NorthStar, Ritchies, Northern Express, Metrolink, Go West and Waka Pacific are planned to follow through to November.

Howick & Eastern, Bayes, Fullers Waiheke Bus Company, the Airporter and Airbus are planned in the final phase to the end of the year.