Traffic lights to be installed at 'death trap' Auckland junction after local activism
Kia ora neighbours,
A group of activists rallying for change at a “death trap” of a junction in rural south Auckland has won a temporary set of traffic lights to manage hectic traffic flows on and off the motorway.
At the increasingly busy service station and retail zone on Mill Road, Bombay, drivers struggle to get in and out of Mill Road between the service station and the State Highway 1 on and off-ramps.
Fed-up locals established the Bombay Collision Cross Roads Action Group to demand change from Waka Kotahi and Auckland Transport.
That has resulted in a short-term design, which would include a traffic light at the SH1 southbound off-ramp at Bombay, the northbound off-ramp and on-ramp and the exit from the Bombay service centre, which would all be linked to each other, Waka Kotahi said.
Between 2014 and 2021, there were two fatal crashes and five serious crashes on Mill Road, according to road safety data from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport.
In a statement, a Waka Kotahi spokesperson said staff undertook traffic modelling before recommending that traffic lights were the most appropriate solution.
What do you think of the traffic light solution?
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.
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)
.
Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
-
84.6% Yes
-
13.9% No
-
1.5% Other - I'll share below
Harbour Bridge lane closure - protests
The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to parliament last week and could have ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and Māori.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi) set off from Cape Rēinga on Monday morning and is expected to reach Wellington next Tuesday. It has now passed through Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Whangārei, Dargaville and is passing through Auckland on Wednesday.
What you need to know today:
- The hīkoi is due to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge about 9.30am on Wednesday. Two northbound lanes will be closed at some point before the crossing, and remain closed during it.
- NZTA shared at 8:50am Wednesday:
'Curran St northbound on-ramp will be closed shortly, with two northbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge expected to close from approx 9.30am this morning. Allow extra time for likely delays through this area.'
- The hīkoi is expected to go across the Harbour Bridge, in a controlled fashion before marching through parts of the CBD towards Okahu Bay.
- Auckland commuters should expect traffic disruption in vicinity of both sides of the Harbour Bridge.
Stuff reporter Steve Kilgallon was at Stafford Park on the north side of the Harbour Bridge at 8.30am Wednesday and shared:
"I just walked through Stafford Park, where there’s about 400-500 people quietly assembled and more arriving; and about 20 police standing over near the motorway off ramp. Lot of Tino Rangatira flags in evidence, local streets very busy with parked cars."
Police have shared that they will respond accordingly to any issues that may arise along the route.