Ask Phoebe: Shoulders should never be used as shortcuts

Coming from the east, where the Eastern Arterial joins the Southern Motorway, there are two lanes for northbound traffic controlled by lights. Since the introduction of the transit lane further up the intersection, people and trucks have created their own third lane on the left hand shoulder at the lights. They are using this to get more direct access to the transit lane, but it is not marked or wide enough and is quite dangerous.

Are there any plans to place those flexible bollards or a more permanent solution to extend the traffic island, and is it an offence to use the shoulder as a shortcut? William Smith, Auckland.

A: The shoulder should never be used as a shortcut from the traffic lights at the start of the on-ramp. The Transport Agency is working with Auckland City Council on a solution for this which will improve safety in this area. In the meantime, motorway police will continue to monitor the on-ramp as part of their regular patrols.

Q: How did the three streets that run from Sandringham Rd towards Morningside get their names - Ethel, Leslie and Kenneth? Was there a family connection of some sort? Jim Culver, Mt Albert.

A: There certainly was. They were siblings, children of Elihu Shaw. Mr Shaw was a scion of the family who farmed in the area in the early days. Similarly, Paice Ave and Walters Rd were named for the Paice family, who were dairy farmers at Cabbage Tree Flat, now Gribblehirst Park.

Fascinating stuff. If you ever get a chance to look at John Davenport's book Street Names of Auckland: Their Story, it's worth the effort.

Q: The council has built a fantastic new playground at Wharua Reserve in Remuera but for what seems like weeks since completion fences have been left in place. The council said the delay was because of wet weather and it had still to put in a seesaw. It is the only playground within walking distance of our house and my children keep asking when it will open. Can you find out? Jody Somervell, Remuera.

A: I'm sorry for the delay in responding to this but, as you have probably noticed, the playground is now open. The fences were there as a safety measure and to let newly sown grass get away.

Q: When I see a sign such as 'Auckland 115', what does it mean? How is the distance between towns and cities measured? My grandfather once told me that it was the distance to the town's post office, and someone else told me that it was the distance between railway stations. Since we no longer have post offices, and railway stations are few, is there an actual reference point in each town for calculating distances? Carl Cooke, Auckland.

A: Historically, the distance between towns was measured from post office to post office, but this is no longer practicable, as you note. The best information I have is that it is taken from the town centre, but that seems like a moveable feast too.

Who decides where the town centre is? I'm happy to take advice on this.