Mā Ake – Your Way

Four separate projects were consulted on alongside Mā āke – Your Way. These were already funded and included the Spotswood College raised crossing, the Belair to Bayly walking and cycling project, Lorna Street signalisation, and the Belt Road side street treatments. The Belt Road project did not progress to construction. In addition, NPDC secured funding to deliver some of the works along South Road/Devon St West to complete some safety improvements.

Yes. Some design changes were made as a result of the consultation process. In most cases, parking demand near businesses will be met with the implementation of time-restricted parking.

The delivery of the safety improvements along South Road/Devon St West, which includes a shared pathway, crossing improvements and side road intersection treatments, were consulted on in 2023. This project prioritises safety for the most vulnerable users of the corridor, in particular children at the three schools on this section of the corridor. 

Construction starts in Spotswood on 30 September 2024 to coincide with the school holidays. Work will be done in stages, with this the first phase is expected to be completed by Christmas.  We will pause this work to allow NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to do some resealing in the Spotswood area in the first week of January before resuming our construction. The full corridor of works is expected to be completed by Autumn 2025.

Because it is a long corridor, approximately 4 kilometres, and the job involves a lot of concrete works – we need to do it in stages to minimise disruption on commuters as much as possible.

To improve safety for all road users, in particular our most vulnerable i.e. school students, people who walk and cycle.  Feedback from cyclists in particular, during the various rounds of feedback on this project indicate they don’t feel safe on the route due to the lack of dedicated cycle lanes.  When complete there will be safer and easier access for people to walk and cycle, which will support health and wellbeing outcomes.

Traffic islands at low volume intersections.  This is an intersection with a low volume of traffic movements of less than 4000 cars a day. Putting in a traffic island will slow vehicles as they turn in and out of the road and reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians - making it safer for all users.

We are removing the entry from SH45 into, and the right hand and straight-ahead movement out of Belt Road (section between SH44 and SH45).  This this is a difficult intersection with visibility issues, so the change will help improve visibility by reducing the number of vehicle movements possible and encouraging people to use the alternative routes.

Why are we building a shared path and still maintaining an on-road cycle lane?  A shared path is ideal for less confident cyclists such as children and people learning to ride. If you are a confident and fast rider then it is expected you would be on the road, and we need to allow a safe space for this.

We're changing phasing at the Devon/Morley traffic signals. This will be done to support the safe movement of people cycling through this intersection. It will prioritise the State Highway movements and encourage less ‘rat running’ of the local road section of Devon St West.

Not entirely. We were originally provisionally allocated more funding from Climate Emergency Response Fund, however only budget for approved works were honoured, which in our case was $3.8m.  

The Government also updated the advice on what elements can no longer be built on state highways so the in-lane bus stops and raised safety platforms were dropped from the project.  The funding that we have is being used on elements that prioritise safety improvements outside the schools, side road intersection improvements and a connected-on road cycle lane with physical protection (concrete separators) at pinch points.

Yes. Access to properties will be maintained at all times. 

Due to rising costs and funding constraints only one of the three proposed Mā Ake – Your Way projects could continue to construction. South Road/Devon Street West was approved by Council because it has the potential to make the biggest positive impact on our community. The upgrades will serve six schools in the area and modelling anticipates a high uptake of cycling in the area.