KEY POINTS:
In October the Herald called for nominations for Auckland region's worst roads. Responses poured in, and from them we chose 10 we felt needed a good hard look.
In the intervening two months, repairs have been done to one or two.
These roads still receive an honourable mention, however, if only because of the agonies locals suffered before the repairs took place. So, in no particular order, here are the first five of our pick of Auckland's worst roads.
Robert St & Main Highway, Ellerslie
The nomination reads: I would nominate this as Auckland's worst intersection. At present, those turning left from Robert St (township end) on to the Main Highway at Ellerslie have a free turn. Those turning right from Robert St (racetrack end) into Main Highway must give way to those turning left. Those wishing to go straight along Robert St, from township to racetrack, must stop. How confusing. A roundabout would be so much safer.
Response from Auckland City Council: The intersection of Robert St and Main Highway gives priority to Main Highway and the left turn from Robert St. The two main traffic flows are from Main Highway turning right into Robert St and northbound traffic on Robert St turning left into Main Highway.
Without widening the road, a roundabout or traffic lights would slow things down even further. However, the council was looking to make some changes to the road markings and existing layout in the coming months.
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The Concourse, Henderson
The nomination reads: This road has to be visited during working hours to be fully appreciated. Approach from the motorway offramp westbound and you encounter your first issue: "Who's going to let me in?"
The road serves the West Auckland Bail Station and carries perhaps 100 or more rubbish trucks a day, as well as the staff of one of West Auckland's largest employers, and dozens of other businesses. The road surface alone would rank as one of the worst in the region. It has been resurfaced on many occasions, only to be destroyed again by the rubbish trucks.
Response from Waitakere City Council: The Concourse takes a real pounding because of the large number of heavy vehicles that use it. The good news is that work on the road is due to start this month, at a cost of $480,000.
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Porchester Rd, Papakura
The nomination reads: This gets my vote because the surface is so poor. It's been the same as it is for years. The surface is rough and lopsided. You can't drive too close to the left as you feel like you are on a lean. The surface is uneven and has obviously been dug up and relaid many times. I have had many scratches on my CDs as I drive along this road. With a new subdivision going up alongside this road more traffic will be using it. I would like to know when the council is going to smooth it.
Response from Papakura District Council: Much of Takanini is built on soft peat soils that were wetland swamp less than a century ago. The Ernest Clarke Memorial Museum in Papakura has historic photographs of gumdiggers working in the area up to their waists in black mud and water, and more recent images of massive swamp kauri logs that have been extracted from farmland in the area.
This means that creating durable roads and footpaths in Takanini can be challenging and expensive
The council is definitely aware of the condition of Porchester Rd and the issues affecting it.
There are currently high numbers of heavy vehicles using the road as the residential development in the area progresses. Papakura District Council is gearing up for an additional 10,000 or more new residents in Takanini, and while work is being carried out to establish new housing throughout this area, any road upgrades would cause unacceptable congestion.
The road is programmed for road surface replacement but that work will not be done until residential development in the area is further advanced.
Rehabilitation on the road is intended to begin in October this year.
Also programmed are wider shoulders to the road that will make cycling and walking safer, with a new pedestrian and cycle bridge and footpaths alongside residential areas once development is complete.
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Gillies Ave, Newmarket
This should be a clearway at all times. And Alpers Ave should be one-way heading to Manukau Rd, and Owens Rd one-way heading to Gillies, instead of the other way round. And there should be some sort of barrier to prevent traffic coming up the right-hand lane and then pushing into the left-hand lane to get to the motorway.
Response from Auckland City Council: COUNCILConsultation on parking has already taken place, and the clearway
will be extended, to create a "no parking at all times" zone on the eastern side of Gillies Ave between Alpers Ave and Owens Rd. This will be installed in the next couple of months.
As for reversing the one-way directions of Alpers and Owens, this has not been considered by the council. Significant changes to the road network would be needed, and currently there is not the money for this.
Putting up a barrier would not solve the problem of people pushing into adjacent lanes to access the motorway, it would just push the problem further back down the road. This is bad driving, not bad roading, and it is endemic in Auckland.
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Lower Konini Rd, Titirangi
The nomination reads: Have I got the street for you! We are about 16km from the CBD and I bet the only street this distance away that is unkerbed, with open drains and weeds. It looks appalling yet the council does nothing about it. In any rain downpour, stormwater overflows on to the street.
Recently the road had about six months of work with major trenches and inconvenience. One part of the road has a sharp bend that has been left with gravel strewn all over it and a very poor asphalt job. It is a great danger to motorists.
Response from Waitakere City Council: The surface of lower Konini Rd is considered to be okay at this stage. Several sections were resurfaced last year but because the road is so long, it's only done on an "as needed" basis.
The drainage is on the council's priority list, and it's hoped it will be done in the next couple of years. Cost is the problem: around $800,000 for an 800m length. This is a lot when the annual budget for drainage improvement is $370,000. So Konini Rd will be done in sections.
