Auckland Transport (AT) is continuing to rollout double decker buses on key routes across Auckland, including route 75 along Remuera Road. The Orakei Local Board – Consultation Plan includes mitigation measures to ensure double decker buses have sufficient vertical and horizontal clearance around trees, verandas and poles to travel safely along the route, and to navigate safely in and out of bus stops. In addition to trimming trees and cutting back verandas along the route, civil works including kerb buildouts, relocation or upgrade of existing bus stops, installation of traffic islands and road markings are required.
Pages 4A, 4B, and 4C of the Orakei Local Board – Consultation Plan relate to Remuera Shopping Centre. Other pages relate to Kings School frontage, and to Upland Village shops – both of which have kerb build-out of questionable merit.
Remuera Residents Association has prepared submission on the impact of changes to the Remuera Shopping Centre.
1. REDUCTION OF ON-STREET CAR PARKING EXCESSIVE
1.1 North-Side Remuera Rd (Garden Rd to Victoria Avenue)
At present: 6 + 4 = 10 spaces, plus 2 spaces mobility parking
Proposal (1) Expand east-bound bus stop to 2 bus spaces (31m) + entry/leaving spaces
Proposal (2) Relocate mobility parking westward
Result: 4 + 1 = 5 spaces, plus 2 spaces disabled parking 50% REDUCTION
1.2 South-Side Remuera Rd (Clonbern Rd to Norana Avenue)
At present: 4 spaces
Proposal (1) Expand entry/leaving spaces at existing bus stop
Proposal (2) Relocate Loading Zone
Result : 2 spaces only 50% REDUCTION
Overall, a loss of 7 spaces west of Victoria Ave / Clonbern Rd 50% REDUCTION
2. EXPANDED BUS STOPS EXCESSIVE
Going East on the North-side of Remuera Road
Proposal (3) Double length of east-bound bus stop to 31m for two buses – no change to west-bound bus on south side (15m stop space for one bus)
Why the difference depending on direction? Could release 3 parking spaces consumed as in 1. above
3. BUILD-OUT OF KERBS NOT JUSTIFIED
The minimal build-out (approx. 25cm) does not appear to be necessary where shown
Verandas are not overhanging where build-out occurs, slight curvature in road surface toward gutter not significant: in all instances it does not justify large expense of the work contemplated.
4. ENVIRONMENTAL UNNECESSARY DESECRATION
There is very little greenery on Remuera Road. It is not necessary to remove the hedging vegetation on the west corner of Clonbern & Remuera Roads.
These concerns are to be presented on the agenda of the Orakei Local Board Meeting in September, and have also be sent directly to Auckland Transport.