Ask Phoebe: Stonefields congestion solutions investigated

A flickering streetlight can be solved by a call to Auckland Transport. Photo / Thinkstock

The development of Stonefields and Lunn Ave in Mt Wellington has seen far more traffic on Abbotts Way, a major feeder route to the area. Grand Drive feeds into Abbotts Way and it is now a problem to negotiate this T-junction, especially if one wishes to turn right heading west. Are there plans to put a roundabout at this intersection?

- Warwick Maxwell, St Heliers.

Last year Auckland Transport started looking at improving the intersection at Grand Drive/Abbotts Way. The investigation is at a preliminary stage, as there are design limitations, constraints and risks at this location.

These constraints include but are not limited to:

* Lack of space within the road reserve for a standard roundabout design. It would probably be very costly to change the design.
* The possibility of promoting rat-running behaviour along Grand Drive (using Grand Drive as shortcut).
* Potential negative impact on the performance of Abbotts Way.
* Highly uneven traffic volumes at each approach to the intersection.
* The potential for increasing traffic on other roads in the area.

Auckland Transport can't say when the upgrade will be done but it is committed to fixing the problems.

In the UK, when someone has their driving licence forfeited for any driving offence they have to sit another theory test and also pass a practical test before they qualify for another licence. What is the position here in New Zealand?

- Anne Parsons, Pakuranga.

If you have been disqualified from driving, or your licence has been suspended (other than from a 28-day roadside suspension) you will be unlicensed and not entitled to drive. Your driver licence card will be permanently cancelled whether it has been surrendered or not. You will need to apply at an NZTA driver licensing agent to reinstate your licence and have a new licence issued before you can legally return to driving. You will need to fill out an application, provide proof of address, have a new photo taken, have an eye check and pay a fee of $66.40.

If you were disqualified for a continuous period of more than 12 months you will also be required to sit tests and pay the relevant fees.

Driving while disqualified carries substantial penalties.

The street light across the road from my house flickers on and off all night, and it's driving me mad. Whom should I ring to get it fixed, or at least looked at?

- Hazel Wood, Mt Eden.

I had a similar problem recently. The people to ring are, surprisingly, Auckland Transport (ph 09 355-3553).

The nice person on telephone reception will take all the details required (the fault, location, etc) and give you a reference number. They will also advise that the problem will be attended to within 18 to 60 working hours.

The day after I rang in with my complaint, a Transfield truck and workers arrived and all was repaired in a very short time.

If the fault is not fixed within the time span allotted, ring again with the reference number and it will be done.