Get moving: Looking after the Sqids

Q: On Stanley St opposite the end of Lower Domain Drive is a string of orange and white temporary roading barriers. They've been there over a year, almost two. Who's been paying for them, and wouldn't a semi-permanent fence be cheaper? Morri Murphy, Auckland.

A: The barriers are there to cordon off a Stormwater Quality Improvement Device, or Sqid. Cute name. They also stop people parking on that bit of ground, so that access to the Sqid is clear. Transit has been paying, but that will change when the lease on that bit of land is settled, and the new lessees will be responsible for a more permanent arrangement.

Q: The arrow for vehicles turning right from Union St to Nelson St sometimes stays red when the green straight-ahead light goes on. This causes problems because the middle lane on Union St is both right-turning and straight-ahead. Can the lights be synchronised permanently? Mark Williams, Epsom.

A: The phasing of these lights operates on demand. However, the green through light gets more time during the morning rush hour so that Union St clears and the traffic doesn't back up to the motorway offramps. The better news is that when the Northwestern to Northern link is completed the phasing will be adjusted to suit.

Q: Some Northern Busway stations must be almost ready to open, mustn't they? Won't that just mean more traffic on the motorway and more holdups until the busway itself opens? Laura Ross, Browns Bay.

A: The first two busway stations, at Albany and Constellation Drive, open on Sunday. New buses, painted in Maxx livery, will use the motorway shoulder lanes or the motorway itself if the traffic allows, until the busway opens in late 2007. There will be a new express service to and from Britomart, running every 15 minutes, as well as changes to a number of existing services. All the changes take effect this weekend, so check on www.maxx.co.nz to see if your route is affected. The increase in the number of buses on the motorway shouldn't impact on traffic flow as they will mostly be confined to existing bus lanes.