Alternative Plan for Birkenhead Ave T3 Revealed
Auckland Transport recently gathered feedback on creating a new T3 lane on Birkenhead Ave, that will not connect with the T3 on Onewa Rd, and would force all vehicles to merge into one lane before turning the corner. Obviously this would cause congestion as buses and cars merge to turn the corner, but also increase congestion for vehicles heading straight into Highbury and turning right into Highbury Bypass.
I can now reveal that Auckland Transport had the option of going with a better plan, but after an internal AT workshop in September 2018, they decided not include it in the consultation. It is called the "Long Term Option" and was detailed in a document called "Birkenhead Avenue Southbound T3 Lane Options Analysis" by AECOM New Zealand Ltd in November 2018, alongside the "Short Term Option" plan that AT chose to put out for consultation.
In fact, in the "Long Term Option", there are 4 different variations, each reconfiguring the intersection in different ways, but all ensuring that both the T3 lane and general lane turn the corner separately.
What does the report say about the "Short Term Option" that went out for consultation? "The introduction of the bus lane [sic] is expected to result in some dis-benefits to general southbound traffic on Birkenhead Avenue. Queues for right turning and through movement could increase on the Birkenhead southbound approach to the Onewa intersection."
Why the "Short Term Option" was ever considered, I don't know. AT should have gone straight for the reconfiguration, or left it alone.
Coincidentally, last month the Kaipatiki Local Board gave conditional support to a T3 lane on Birkenhead Ave, subject to AT changing the Onewa Rd intersection to allow the T3 lane and general vehicle lanes to continue onto Onewa Rd as separate lanes (see attached resolution). This is in line with the "Long Term Option" that we did not know about at the time.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.1% Yes
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13.8% No
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
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Seven heat pumps throughout this meticulously maintained family home ensure comfort. There is a central vac system and lots of storage space.
Plenty of parking available: a Double internal-access garage plus off-street parking for up to 5 cars - including a boat or campervan - also parking bays in the cul de sac.
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www.barfoot.co.nz......
Gabrielle Elborough
Real Estate Agent
021 257 5018
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