After years of consultation, design, and after they've started construction, Auckland Transport have backtracked on the people & cycle friendly aspects for spaces around the new Karanga-a-Hape Central Rail Link Station (see the links 1 & 2 below). It's the Canada St, Cross St, Mercury Lane area part seen in the photo below.
It's a totally frustrating reaction to a small, vocal, late, opposition group. Don't expect much but nothing ventured...
(Annoyingly mixed my directions, re the Cross St turn, corrected below)
From: Robin CapperSent: Friday, 11 April 2025 15:34
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re Karanga-a-Hape Station precinct integration (Project K) despairI join Bike Auckland (1) & Greater Auckland (2) in being really very cross (polite edit applied) with the last minute and undemocratic changes which Auckland Transport have made in the midst of the Karanga-a-Hape Station precinct integration (Project K), almost a year after delivery began.Although I live in West Auckland I frequently commute through that area (3) and have nearly been struck, would have been had I not taken avoiding action, by vehicles in the areas you are proposing retaining car access.One near running a Stop sign in the Mercury Lane/Canada St intersection and the other (more common) cars racing, to beat oncoming traffic, to right turn into from Cross St from into Upper Queen Street. As such I was delighted to see these areas being addressed in the changes currently being constructed.This decision to reverse much of the good is short-sighted. It will reduce the value gained from investing in the Central Rail Link. Public transport stations require safe and convenient first and last mile options. Safe walkways and bike ways are crucial for maximising the number of people using the station. The existing connections to Lightpath, SH16 West and K Rd bike paths make this even more important.I urge you to reconsider and reinstate the agreed, extensively canvased, designed implementation for people friendly spaces.
