Ask Phoebe: Work on power substation means yes, it will be bigger

Are you able to tell me what is happening at the Golflands substation? There is lots of earthmoving work and heavy machinery about. Does it mean lots more being added to the substation site? Desley Flack, East Tamaki.

This is the Pakuranga substation, even though it's near Golfland Drive. The work, which has just stopped for the winter, is the replacement and maintenance of the existing substation, and yes, it will be bigger. The project includes the construction of a new 220kV substation and installation of 220kV underground cables as part of the upgrade of the North Island grid. Work is scheduled to restart in October.

When the new road for traffic taking the free southbound exit before the toll road tunnels was built, it was wide enough to have a passing lane going up the hill, which was useful if you were behind slow traffic. It worked well for over a year, but now road markings have changed, making it a single lane with no passing.

I can think of no reason for this. Why build the road so wide if only half of it is used? There is now no passing until you reach the short lane on the south side of Waiwera, and even then it can be difficult to get up enough speed to pass as there are sharp bends leading into it. Jean Little, Warkworth.

The Transport Agency says the overtaking lane was removed for safety reasons. The point at the end of the passing lane, where the road merged back into one lane, did not allow overtaking drivers enough time to see ahead adequately. There was also a risk for drivers wanting to use the slip lane to travel north having to use the overtaking lane to do so.

Safety for cyclists was another consideration. They had enough room approaching Johnstone's Hill and again at the top, but not going up the hill because of the overtaking lane. With just one lane, the shoulder is now wide enough for them and for slow and/or heavy vehicles going up the hill.

The Transport Agency continues to monitor this section of the Hibiscus Coast Highway, and further changes have not been ruled out.

Is it legal for real estate agents to post their signs on council land? The usual collection of signs on Greenhithe Rd opposite the Upper Harbour Highway offramp is an absolute eyesore, especially at weekends. We're very tempted to rip them out every time we drive past. Cheryl Smith, Greenhithe.

It depends on what kind of sign it is. North Shore City Council allows real estate agents to put "open home" signs on council verges or berms over the weekends, from 4pm on Friday until the last open home on Sunday. "For sale" signs, on the other hand, must be placed in front of the relevant property. Agents who place "for sale" signs on council land will be asked to remove them.

* An item in last Thursday's column requires clarification. The Manukau Extension project will be opened progressively in three stages: the two southbound lanes will open in August, two westbound lanes will open in September, and the connecting road, the final stage, will open in December. A 100km/h speed limit will accompany each opening.