Ask Phoebe: Turning rule for tunnel build creating new problem

Rush-hour traffic at Victoria Park tunnel leading to the Northern Motorway. Photo / Richard Robinson

At the intersection of Fanshawe and Beaumont Sts, motorists have had to deal with a "no right turn" restriction during the construction of the Victoria Park Tunnel. Now that construction is complete, there seems to be no reason for this restriction. All it does is force traffic which is North Shore-bound via the motorway further down Beaumont St. Drivers then make u-turns to get on to the motorway. Surely we haven't spent all this money on improving motorway traffic flows only to create more traffic and dangerous driving conditions above ground.

To add to the problem, many drivers are now using the private laneways within Beaumont Quarter as a rat-run and for u-turns, making life for 500-plus rate and tax-payers uncomfortable and even dangerous. When will something be done, and the no right turn restriction lifted? Ulf Behncke, Beaumont Quarter.

Since I received this question, and sent it to Auckland Transport for a response, AT's traffic operations manager and engineers have been to visit Mr Behncke to discuss his concerns. Good work, AT.

They say they're committed to finding solutions and taking appropriate action. However, any solutions will need to consider the impact on Fanshawe St which is carrying more traffic than normal while the Wellington St motorway onramp remains closed. Auckland Transport anticipates having the investigation completed by the end of next month.

The problems being addressed include:

* Parking management and enforcement

* Bus stop operations

* Status of the off-street carpark at the Victoria Park skate park

* Rat-running through Beaumont Quarter

* Pedestrian crossing facilities

Operational problems at both access points to Beaumont Quarter. So it would seem the turning restriction will remain until the opening of the Wellington St onramp is reviewed, and this won't take place until the third lane through the tunnel is opened.

I am obliged to use my car for work purposes, and constantly drive in to the city in peak-hour traffic. The trip would normally take only 30 minutes but in peak time it can take just over an hour. Do I use more petrol in peak-hour traffic? Shirley Duke, Henderson.

Mark Stockdale of the AA says you will use more fuel in peak-hour traffic than a shorter journey time over the same distance in free-flowing traffic.

If stuck in slow-moving traffic, the AA recommends you keep the car in gear as putting it in neutral will wear the transmission and cause the car to use still more fuel. If you think the traffic will be stopped for several minutes you may turn the engine off to save fuel. To help reduce fuel consumption in heavy traffic, many manufacturers are now fitting cars with automatic stop-start technology which switches the engine off when at a standstill, and seamlessly restarts as soon as you depress the accelerator. Other ways to conserve fuel are to turn the air-conditioning off (if the temperature is mild), top up your tyre pressures monthly, and remove excess baggage.

If you are using your own car for work purposes you may be entitled to a mileage reimbursement rate; the standard IRD rate is 74 cents per km.

Clarification: Tuesday's answer concerning the cancellation of drivers licences may have implied that the person who asked the question had been disqualified from driving. This is not the case.