Ask Phoebe: Judder bars a temporary fix for Westhaven

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Q: Can the following be explained please? Westhaven Drive has speed bumps but now judder bars have been installed. Why so if speed bumps already exist? The speed limit is stated as 30km/h but the judder bars are so harsh that even at 10km/h there is a chance of damaging suspension.
Why aren't there warnings about the judder bars? I did not see the first one quickly enough and hit it at around 20km/h, damaging a model boat I was carrying in my car. Why are there so many and at what expense to the ratepayer? I assume they are there for the new construction going on but this has stop/go patrolling (main roads don't install judder bars when patrolled), so all of the above questions still apply.
Tony Park, Auckland.

Tom Warren, general manager of marinas for Waterfront Auckland, has this to say, which covers all of your questions: "The judder bars on Westhaven Drive have been installed as a temporary measure to slow down cars and cyclists while works are under way to construct a walkway and cycleway along the marina's edge that will make cycling in this area much safer.

"Even prior to the works starting there was an emerging safety issue of walkers and runners being forced on to the road due to the narrow footpath along Westhaven Drive. The judder bars that were there did little to reduce car speeds because they were low and smooth. In some cases vehicles have been travelling at up to 80km/h along there. There have been a number of minor car and cyclist accidents along Westhaven Drive, and with the addition of the disruption of the works on the walkway, risk of a serious incident was increased.

"Attempts have been made to engage the police, but to act quickly, given its priority as a safety issue, the temporary bars have been installed.

"Our team reviewed various options for slowing cars and the judder bars that have been installed were the smallest temporary options that they could find, being 50mm high.

"We realise it is inconvenient, but we need vehicles, including cyclists, to slow down on Westhaven Drive. Once the civil works are completed later this year, the judder bars will be removed. They were paid for by Waterfront Auckland, and there are warning signs in place at either end of Westhaven Drive."