Disappointment at plans to cut congestion on North Shore's busy Lake Road

Tuesday, 17 March 2020

Proposed changes to a perpetually-congested arterial road on Auckland's North Shore has an over-emphasis on cycle lanes, a politician has claimed.

Lake Rd has been the bane of North Shore commuting for over 40 years and is notorious for bottleneck traffic in and out of Devonport. However, in 2017, Auckland Transport announced (AT) the road was earmarked for an upgrade.

On Monday, after nearly three years of public consultation and business planning, AT is now seeking public feedback on its upgrade proposal that would cost the ratepayer $47 million.

Artist's impression of proposed changes at Lake Rd, near the intersection with Jutland Rd.

The proposal includes fully protected cycle lanes along the peninsula, targeted transit (T2) lanes, other safety improvements, and intersection upgrades alongside a new shared walking/cycling path on Bayswater Ave.

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AT said the proposed changes would allow more options for people travelling within the area. Artist's impression of Lake Rd near Seabreeze Rd.

But George Wood, deputy chairman of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, said the upgrade of the cycle lanes came at the expense of providing transit lanes to handle buses, giving them quicker travel times along Lake Rd as well as high occupancy cars.

'Traffic travelling north from Belmont to the Bardia St intersection will still be just a one-lane configuration – empty cycle lanes will still sit there while car drivers wait to get along the road.'

Lake Rd is notorious for its gnarling traffic both in and out of Devonport.

The proposal is based on public consultation in 2017 which AT said favoured finding ways to improve the corridor as soon as possible, as well as avoiding an expensive and disruptive road widening project.

Councillor Chris Darby said more than half the journeys along Lake Rd stayed within the peninsula and the project would provide alternative options for commuting to 'free up space on the corridor and improve reliability and travel times'.

Fellow North Shore ward councillor Richard Hills added the proposal was a reflection of the last public consultation in 2017.

'The feedback was loud and clear that the community didn't want a project that would take 10 years to complete, or that would require property to be purchased and homes to be demolished, to create extra traffic lanes.'

An AT spokeswoman said the proposal, alongside new roadside electronic signs providing real-time traffic updates, would help people make travel choices early to avoid joining the congestion.

'These improvements will assist in giving people more opportunity to make shorter trips safely on foot or by bike, or by bus or carpooling, and will free up road space for people who need to drive.'

However, Wood thought 'cars and trucks get very little help with the way this project has been reported, at this time'.

'For 75 per cent of the road it is still just a single lane,' Wood said.

'This process now requires an overwhelming response from people telling AT what they think about the proposal.'

The Lake Rd Improvements consultation is open from Monday 16 March until Sunday 12 April 2020.