KEY POINTS:
I often see vehicles on the harbour bridge driving in the lanes marked with a big red X. Is this legal?
Graeme Sedal, Auckland.
No, it most definitely is not. My new Bible, the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004, clause 2.3, states clearly that "a driver, when driving, must not use a lane that has been declared unavailable by an overhead traffic signal showing a red diagonal cross". Pretty clear, I'd have thought.
Why does the big banner under the new Multiplex building project say, "Auckland's second harbour crossing starts here". Is there going to be a tunnel from 80 Queen St across to the North Shore?
Liz MacIntyre, Auckland.
Despite appearances, it has absolutely nothing to do with bridges or tunnels or harbour crossings of any sort. It is, quite simply, a marketing ploy, drawing attention to what will become 21 storeys of Deloittes Centre, in the hope that people will talk about this remarkable edifice. It's a bit lame, Multiplex.
The pedestrian crossing in Mission Bay causes huge amounts of traffic congestion on Tamaki Drive due to the behaviour of the people crossing. At times cars remain stopped as multiple groups of people seem to wait until the previous group have crossed before setting foot on the crossing. Is there any intention to either have people press a button to cross as is done at Okahu Bay? The crossing could then be synchronised with the traffic lights 100m down the road. Or dispense with the pedestrian crossing completely in favour of people crossing at the lights.
Alaric Reader, Mission Bay.
Pedestrian traffic signals at this spot are not even a twinkle in the council's eye.
Its view is that most of the hold-ups occur during the peak summer season and are generally of fairly short duration during the weekends.
The zebra crossing also has a good safety record, which is of paramount importance.
And given that I received this query in mid-January, the council's response is probably appropriate.
I have always been under the impression that parking or stopping on the wrong side of the road (ie, facing oncoming traffic) is illegal in New Zealand. Is this correct? It is common practice in the UK.
Christine Robson, Auckland.
Ah, that handy document again. Clause 6.12 states that unless angle parking is indicated by road markings, you must park parallel to the direction of the road, and as close as possible to the left. However, in a one-way street, you may park on either side of the road, but you must face in the same direction as the traffic flow.
I use a scooter to get around the city. Recently I have been ticketed for parking in a 15m loading zone. I was tucked into the kerb in a corner and not in anyone's way. This seems to be just revenue-gathering, and limiting sustainable travel options. Could you please clarify what Auckland City Council's policy is, and why this seems to have changed recently?
Henry Smith, Auckland.
Auckland City Council is the road controlling authority, and as such it needs to heed the road rules too. In this case the rules were set in 2004. If the council has put up the appropriate signs describing the area as a loading zone, no other vehicle apart from the class specified on the sign (if any) may park there. As well, you may not leave your vehicle unattended there for more than five minutes, or whatever time limit is on the sign, or if you are not loading or unloading goods or passengers. As you are unlikely to be doing this with a scooter, you may not use loading zones, no matter how unobtrusively you park.
