Ask Phoebe: Park's big hole about to get fixed

The barrier on the Auckland Harbour Bridge shifts four times over a 24-hour period. Photo / Dean Purcell

In the northeast corner of Melville Park in Epsom, there is a large hole in the ground involving the park's footpath, apparently because of subsidence of rocks beneath the surface. The wall of the park adjacent to this area has been supported by beams and large, weighted rams to prevent it from collapsing. There has been no sign of activity to repair this problem for many, many months. Although the hole was originally surrounded by wire safety barriers to prevent access, these are now in disarray because of vandalism. Could you find out who is responsible for this project and light a fire under their rear end?
Peter Maxwell, Epsom.

Mark Bowater, manager of local and sports parks for the Auckland Council, says that as this wall is a heritage feature, it requires resource and building consent for any modifications, including repairs.

Council officers and engineers have done geotechnical assessments and soakage tests to determine the cause of the damage, prepared designs for the repair work and have acquired the necessary consents.

They are now finalising a contract for the work and hope to begin next month.

The safety fencing has been replaced and the council will keep an eye on the site in case of any further vandalism. Damage to public property can be reported to the council on (09) 301-0101.

And a bit of the history of Melville Park, which I confess I had never heard of:

The stone retaining walls were built by relief workers in the 1930s as part of the then council's efforts to level the rocky landscape and form sports fields on the upper level.

It was originally called the Epsom Domain, but was renamed after its official opening in 1939 by Councillor Ellen Melville.

It is used for women's hockey and women's cricket and is home to the local croquet club.

And, as an aside, the Auckland Council tells me that you can call that phone number (09 301-0101) from anywhere within the council region boundaries, and it won't cost you a cent. It replaces the old city and district council help lines.

Travelling in the same direction as peak traffic on the harbour bridge, at what times do lanes five and then four close?
Matthew Dalton, Auckland.

The Transport Agency's Auckland Motorway Alliance team shift the barrier four times over a 24-hour period. After the morning peak, they start closing lane five at 10.30. Lane four closure starts at 3, before the afternoon rush. The northbound lane five closure starts again at 8pm and lane four at 5am.

Thus the closures provide five southbound lanes during the morning peak and five northbound lanes for the afternoon scramble. Although the team tries to keep to this schedule, times vary a little because of traffic volumes on the bridge.

The machines take about 25 minutes to complete their journey across the bridge.

At weekends and public holidays, four lanes operate in each direction.