KEY POINTS:
There is some confusion about who has right of way at the junction of Davis Cres and Carlton Gore Rd, behind the Olympic Pools in Newmarket. Normally, left-turning traffic gives way. However, if you are coming down Davis from the Parnell end and intending to turn right into Carlton Gore, there is a white line across the lane, as if it is a give way, but there is no give way sign. When I'm coming along Davis to turn left into Carlton Gore, from the other direction, I always give way to those turning right. This quite often gets me into trouble with following vehicles who think they are facing a give way, because of the white line. Can you please clarify? Tom Higham, Piha.
I was a bit (read totally) confused by your letter, Tom, so I went out for a look. One thing I found was at that point, it's still Parnell Rd, not Davis Cres. But, as you say, there is no give way sign on the north (Parnell) side of the intersection. Thus, those turning left from the southern side of the intersection, from Davis Cres into Carlton Gore must give way to the right-turners. The right-turners must give way to those coming straight through from Davis to Parnell.
It appears that the white line marks the end of the right-turn lane, so that vehicles don't creep out and block the traffic coming down Carlton Gore.
If there is no give way sign, the rules for turning at an uncontrolled intersection apply. See here for the rules.
Recently I watched a car travelling along Quay St towards the city using the bus lane. He was not indicating that he intended to make a left turn. The council camera operator stationed a little further along Quay St did not take a photo, even though he was looking in the direction from which the car was approaching. I have never seen a camera operator in that location take a photo, although to be fair cars do not usually travel in that lane. Why then do the photographers exist? Warren Finn, St Heliers.
The council tells me that council officers take video evidence of bus lane transgressors, not photos. Because of this, you would not have seen a camera flash as you do from speed cameras. They also say that a vehicle will be issued with an infringement notice only if it travels the length of the enforcement zone.
Are there any plans to introduce a roundabout or traffic lights at the intersection of Abbotts Way and Grand Drive in the near future?
The volume of traffic in this area has increased hugely in recent years, and I've seen a number of accidents. It's now almost impossible to turn out of Grand Drive into Abbotts Way at peak times or in the weekends. John Crummey, Remuera.
The council is aware of the horrors of this corner, and they've been monitoring the increase in traffic on Abbotts Way. The stormwater replacement work in Abbotts Way has not made things any easier either. When it's finished, the council will continue monitoring, with a view to working out what improvements are necessary and/or possible.
* Which is the grimmest road (street, crescent, lane, terrace, place, close etc) in the Auckland region, and why?
Email your suggestions to askphoebe@nzherald.co.nz before the end of this month. We'll pick the 10 poorest and endeavour to get something done about them.
* And thank you, Bevan Woodward of Cycle Action Auckland, for suggesting that your members email me with the worst roads for cycling in Auckland. They certainly have done so. Their concerns will be taken into account.
