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Auckland Transport releases new plan for St Heliers speed bumps after backlash

Monday, 15 March 2021

A video overview of AT's original plan which would have created 13 new pedestrian crossings and removed 40 car parking spaces in the St Heliers town centre (Video first published April 10, 2019).

Auckland’s St Heliers will get two raised pedestrian crossings, rather than 12, after fierce community opposition to an earlier, more dramatic plan.

Auckland Transport’s first proposal for the beachside suburb, in 2019, also saw the loss of 40 on-street car parks.

Its new plan will see no car parks lost.

Alongside the raised pedestrian crossings, there will be four zebra crossings and a widened shared path. An intersection will also be rebuilt.

**READ MORE:

* 'Over the top' plans for St Heliers speed bumps scaled back after public backlash

An artist’s impression of revised St Heliers village improvements.
An artist’s impression of revised St Heliers village improvements.

* Revised road plans for Mission Bay and St Heliers set for release in New Year

* Auckland Transport's proposal for St Heliers and Mission Bay 'over the top'

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Nearly three quarters of those living in St Heliers support the new plan, the residents association says. (File photo)
Nearly three quarters of those living in St Heliers support the new plan, the residents association says. (File photo)

AT worked alongside the St Heliers Business Association, the St Heliers and Glendowie Residents Association, Ōrākei Local Board and councillor Desley Simpson on the new plan.

“We have listened and made changes based on that community feedback,” said Randhir Karma, Auckland Transport’s group manager of network management.

St Heliers and Glendowie Residents Association representative Mike Walsh said this plan is what the community wanted.

“Our residents and businesspeople achieved what they wanted to achieve,” Walsh said.

Seventy-three per cent of the community are supportive of the new plan, he said.

The initial plan left the community outraged with Walsh saying it was “completely over the top” and “excessive”.

“The first plan was going to make it difficult for residents.”

St Heliers Business Association chairman Peter Jones said he is also pleased with the new plan.

Construction of the safety improvements will likely begin in June and run for six months.