Ask Phoebe: More lanes for Northwestern Motorway

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What are they building out in the tide next to the Northwestern Motorway between Patiki Rd and Waterview? Brian Boys, West Auckland.

The work is part of a reclamation to raise the causeway between Waterview and the Rosebank Peninsula, so the motorway can be widened and more lanes added. The causeway floods during high or king tides, as does the cycleway alongside. Reclamation is also proposed on the seaward side of Rosebank Peninsula from Rosebank Rd off-ramp to the Whau River. The bridge over the Whau River will be widened and piers added. The improvements and additions are part of the Western Ring Route project.

I would like to know how HOP cards are to be updated when trains, ferries and other bus services will be able to provide the HOP card service. The existing HOP card will not work on these services because they are not compatible with a new system for trains, ferries and some bus companies. Will registered users of the HOP card be issued with new HOP cards via postal mail? Cameron Carter, Auckland, and Bernard Thomas, Auckland.

I've had a look at the HOP card website (www.myhop.co.nz) and it's my understanding that trains, ferries and other bus services will be HOP card compatible later this year. Your HOP card should cope with the transition.

Do you know of any specific rules relating to angle parking? For several years I have been parking on a daily basis in Hinemoa St near Birkenhead Wharf. Angle parking is at about 70 degrees from the kerb so is almost square on. The other day I received a parking infringement notice for "incorrect angle parking" even though I was parked within the white lines. I always reverse in as it is dangerous when leaving because of insufficient view of oncoming traffic. The Road Code says angle parking can only be done in marked bays with the vehicle within the lines. Graham Taggart, Chatswood.

The road user rule section 6.13 stipulates the use of angle parking. It states: Parking at angle (1) If the road controlling authority has indicated that vehicles may be parked only at an angle to the direction of the roadway, a driver must not stand or park a vehicle (other than a cycle) otherwise than in accordance with the direction indicated. The offence is a P120, incorrect angle parking.

Most angle parking runs off in the direction of the roadway. In this situation you nose your vehicle into the space and reverse out. Should you try to reverse angle park, you will interrupt the oncoming lane of traffic upon entry and due to the angle of exit, potentially cross the centre line to exit the park.