With 12 tenants spanning a range of retail, fine foods and dining options, Orakei Bay Village is the latest addition to our local shopping scene. Occupying several restored industrial buildings near Orakei train station, the new complex (shown under development in our image above) has revitalised a formerly tired and run-down area.
But while local residents have welcomed the convenience of new retail options on their doorstep, they now realise that these have come at a cost. Commuters now face the inconvenience of reduced traffic flow on Orakei Road, especially at peak hours. Access in and out of the Orakei Bay Village complex is by either of two driveways. The first leads to street level parking, near the main entrance, where relatively few bays have been provided. The second leads down to a new parking area below and behind the main complex, near the retail nursery. Although the developers have created new bays, parking can be in very short supply at busy times – when there is much manoeuvring and the flow of cars in and out of the two driveways significantly slows Orakei Road traffic.
And Orakei Bay Village is not yet fully on-stream!
As a further complication, cars leaving Orakei Bay Village must turn left and go around the Ngapipi/Kepa road roundabout to return to Remuera.
Not ideal! We hope that Auckland Transport has a quick traffic remedy up its sleeve – especially since there are further developments planned for this area (see separate article).