Ask Phoebe: Solutions in the works for busy intersection

Photo / Dean Purcell

Are there any plans to change the speed limit on the Drury to Pukekohe road? With the increased volume of traffic, 100km/h seems too fast for a road that has Heavy Crash Area signs and a huge amount of vehicles on it now. Colleen Taylor, Pukekohe.

The speed limits on this road (SH22) are reviewed regularly by the NZ Transport Agency to ensure that they are appropriate and safe. Following previous reviews, the Transport Agency lowered speed limits from 100km/h to 70km/h at the Drury interchange and from Paerata to Pukekohe. The speed limit on the rest of the highway remains 100km/h. The Transport Agency says SH22 safety improvements include better lighting and signage. It will continue to monitor speed limits but it reminds drivers that limits on SH22, and every other state highway, are not targets but the maximum acceptable depending on driving conditions at the time.

On Tuesday, September 3, a letter to the Ask Phoebe column commented that many people could still be seen using mobile phones while driving, and asked if this practice was still illegal.

A reader in Palmerston North has written in to say when she sees people using cellphones while driving she reports it to police.

Non-urgent incidents of poor driving can be reported on the online Report a Bad Driver form, https://forms.police.govt.nz/forms/online-community-roadwatch-report/9. Urgent but not life-threatening driving incidents can be reported by cellphone on *555.

Even if careless drivers don't get caught straight away, the information can still be useful.

Can you please find out what has to be done to provide a safer crossing at the Y-shaped intersection at the bottom of Gladstone Rd and The Strand in Parnell?

The current intersection requires drivers entering or leaving Gladstone Rd to drive at a 45-degree angle into the line of the oncoming traffic in order to cross the intersection.

It would be much safer if a roundabout was installed so that everyone can cross the intersection systematically. The current intersection occupies a huge area so there is enough space to make the roundabout big enough for the trucks from the port to be able to navigate it. Nigel Gerbic, Auckland.

The future transport needs of this eastern waterfront area are currently being investigated by the NZ Transport Agency, together with Auckland Council and Auckland Transport.

The study area roughly extends from Grafton Gully to the port and Britomart East to The Strand. Between the port and KiwiRail's large rail siding yard, there are a few competing and conflicting interests which make it unique from the rest of the city. The Transport Agency says the three organisations are investigating the key transport problems in the area, and how best to manage them.

Those issues include the safety of all road users and pedestrians. While the details are still to be completed, the Transport Agency says all three organisations hope to formalise an agreed programme of works later this year.