Residents would pay to sort out one of Auckland's most congested routes

Friday, 1 December 2017

Lake Rd congestion could be solved with a targeted rate, according to some Devonport residents.

Residents are so desperate to see one of Auckland's worst bottlenecks, Lake Rd, upgraded, they would be willing to pay a targeted rate to get it moving.

An AA survey of 800 Devonport peninsula residents found around half the respondents preferred the most pricey option of three Auckland Transport (AT) has put forward, and, of those, half were willing to pay a targeted rate for it.

However, North Shore councillor Chris Darby is warning Devonport residents to be careful what they wish for.

Earlier this year, AT consulted on the options for upgrades designed to reduce congestion on the notorious road, at different costs - $10 million (low), $40 million (medium) and $70 million (high).

* 'Vague' timeframe for urgent $70 million upgrade to Auckland bottleneck Lake Rd

* Notorious bottleneck, Lake Rd, upgrades revealed costing $10M to $70M-plus**

Of 1131 public submissions, 36 per cent supported the high-investment option, which involves widening the road and would take at least 10 years to complete.

AA senior advisor Vanessa Wills said the acceptance of a targeted rate, in its survey, comes with respondents wanting progress in five years rather than 10.

'People are willing to pay something extra, but they want to see it happening faster as a result,' Wills said.

Respondents said they would be willing to pay somewhere between $50 and $250 annually.

Darby believes desperation is the motivation behind respondents considering a targeted rate.

He said a targeted rate would have a significant impact on a the peninsula community, especially when people are backing the $70 million option over the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and AT's preferred $40 million option.

The $40 million option, which could be achieved in five years, widens the road in specific locations, converts the existing bus lane along Esmonde Rd to a transit lane and increases cycling facilities.

Darby said the Lake Rd improvement project is included in The Mayor's 10 Year Budget Proposal which was released on November 29.

Councillors will vote next month on what items in the proposal are to be consulted on, with public consultation in March 2018.