Commuters angry about 6km detour for 400m road works on Auckland's North Shore

Friday, 8 December 2017

Drivers are fed-up with being forced to take a 6 kilometre diversion around a 400 metre stretch of road works on an arterial road on Auckland's North Shore.

Auckland Transport began the essential road rehabilitation work on Beach Haven Rd, in Beach Haven, six weeks ago on October 30.

The one-way traffic management was enforced a few weeks into the project, Birkdale resident Matt Elliott said.

However, the detour was not just around the corner, but a 6km hike around the surrounding neighbourhood.

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Elliott called the detour an 'unnecessary cobweb of inconvenience'. 

Comments on Beach Haven and Birkdale Facebook page confirmed many residents' annoyance.

Resident Emma Breen Kierulf said it was time-consuming and costly, with her daily school-drop off taking 20 to 30 minutes instead of the usual five to 10.

Kirstie Prangley said the signposting of the closure was inadequate. 

Signage should have been more clear on the adjoining roads, especially on Verrans Corner roundabout, to let people know there was a road closure ahead. This would have avoided even more delays for people doubling back, Jaq Nohi said.

However, resident Tracey-lee Repia-Holland said the work needed to be done. 

'Yes, it's extra. It's not for ever. I'd rather the rd fixed,' Repia-Holland posted.

Auckland Transport's Mark Hannan said since the start of the works, 21 complaints had been received.

Various options to shorten the detour were investigated but this was the only option available, Hannan said.

'It's a full replacement of the road … so it is a big job,' Hannan said. 'It is impossible to keep two lanes open without compromising safety of the traffic and the workers on site.

'We're sorry if people have been inconvenienced, but it is important that this work is done as safely and as quickly as possible.'

Positively, works will be completed before Christmas, he said.

After that, the final carriageway work will start the first week of February and take around three weeks.

With good weather, the whole job should be finished by the end of February, Hannan said.

Despite the inconvenience, Elliot said he felt for the people holding the stop-go signs. 

'I've seen them copping some awful abuse from drivers on these hot days.'

He suggested traffic management experts at Auckland Transport should stand out there holding a sign during peak times.