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Bairds Road and Flat Bush Road, Ōtara – Pedestrian safety improvements Bairds Road and Flat Bush Road, Ōtara – Pedestrian safety improvements

Proposal status: Feedback Closed

Reference number: SSM2122-014

Proposal Outcome

In March 2023, we proposed changes to make it safer for tāmariki to cross the road safely near Yendarra School and Flat Bush School. After reviewing all the feedback, we are proceeding with the following minor change:

  • Installing wooden bollards on the berm in front of the shops on Piako Street to stop people from parking on the footpath, posing a safety risk to pedestrians.

Thank you for helping us make better decisions for your neighbourhood, informed by your local knowledge.

These works will help support our Tāmaki Makaurau’s Vision Zero goal.  

What happens next

We anticipate the changes will be constructed between September 2023 and February 2024. We aim to implement these changes during the school holidays to minimise the disruption. We will be in touch with the local schools, residents and businesses prior to any construction taking place.

We’re proposing improvements in your area

We’re proposing some improvements near Yendarra School and Flat Bush School so that tāmariki can cross the road safely.

We are proposing to:

  • Install two new raised zebra crossings at 222 Bairds Road and 252 Bairds Road. These are zebra crossings on a wide flat speed bump.
  • Install a raised zebra crossing outside 16 Flatbush Road.
  • Shift the bus stop outside 222 Bairds Road to the other side of the crossing outside 226 Bairds Road. Relocating the bus stop to the other side of the crossing makes it easier for people getting off the bus to see approaching vehicles as they wait to cross the road.
  • Paint short sections of broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) at the bus stops outside 217 Bairds Road and outside 226 Bairds Road to make it easier for the bus to pull in and out of the stop. This will result in the removal of 6 parking spaces.
  • Paint broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) near the crossing outside 252 Bairds Road to make it easier for pedestrians and drivers to see each other.
  • Install new tactile pavers at each crossing point. These are yellow paving markers to help visually impaired people find their way to crossings and safely across roads.
  • Install new road markings, signage, and streetlights to support the changes. This includes flashing orange lights near the crossings to warn drivers they’re approaching a zebra crossing.

Download Bairds Road proposal drawing (PDF 1.85MB).

How will this benefit your neighbourhood

Auckland Transport would like to work with you to deliver safer roads in your neighbourhood. This upgrade would provide a safer place for people to cross the road to access Yendarra School and Flat Bush School, as it would:

  • Slow motorists to a safer speed.
  • Raise pedestrians, especially children, crossing the road to be at eye-level of approaching motorists, making them easier to see from a distance.
  • Improve visibility between motorists and people waiting to cross the road.
  • Make it more comfortable for everyone, including people with prams and wheelchairs, to cross the road as the crossing is level with the footpath.
  • The relocation of the bus stop will in fact retain more on street parking compared to if the bus stop stayed on the northern side of the crossing.

This project supports Tāmaki Makaurau’s commitment to Vision Zero, an ambitious transport safety vision, with the goal of no deaths or serious injuries on our transport network by 2050. This approach acknowledges that as people we all make mistakes, however a mistake should not mean someone dies or is seriously injured on our roads. It’s also an approach that values everyone using the road, not just those in vehicles. It is about caring for more vulnerable road users like people walking or cycling, children, and the elderly. Vision Zero is the international benchmark for transport safety.

More information

This proposal is funded by the Auckland regional fuel tax and is part of the Safe Schools Programme.