Ask Phoebe: Lollipops indicate crossing

The left-turn slip lane from Symonds St into Karangahape Rd is a pedestrian crossing. File photo / Wairarapa Times-Age

I work at Auckland Hospital and often catch the bus home from Karangahape Rd. On my walking route there is a confusing road crossing that I'm hoping you can help with. On the south corner of K Rd and Symonds St there is a free left turn for traffic turning from Symonds St on to K Rd. There are traffic lollipop signs but no painted pedestrian crossing and it is confusing as to who should give way. Is it a pedestrian crossing or not? Can the council either take away the lollipops or paint some lines on the road?
Andrew Old, Auckland.

The left-turn slip lane from Symonds St into Karangahape Rd is a pedestrian crossing, even though it does not yet flaunt any black and white stripes to indicate its designation. This will be fixed. In the meantime, motorists are asked to respect the fluoro discs as an indication that there is a pedestrian crossing here.

On the Northern Motorway, southbound at Northcote, the big sign tells you this is the exit for Devonport. It was once, but now we all use Esmonde Rd, of course. When is the sign coming down?
M. G. Waters, Devonport.

Good spotting, says the Transport Agency, owner of the sign. The most direct route to Devonport is from the Esmonde Rd interchange. The agency promises to change the sign at the Northcote Rd offramp in the new year so reference to Devonport is removed.

At the traffic lights at the intersection of Pitt St and the Northwestern Motorway there is a large patch of road with yellow criss-crosses. I have always assumed this meant "do not queue on this patch of road" but no one else in Auckland seems to think like this. Whenever I travel this way I either miss the green light because of queuing traffic or have to try to wend my way between lanes of motorists. I have been sworn at, tooted at and had fists shaken at me. Have I got it wrong?
Sandi Murray, Waterview.

No, you haven't, but it seems others have. The yellow cross-hatching is an extra reminder that you should not enter an intersection if you cannot get out of it in the same light phase. In other words, you must not queue across the intersection. It is particularly significant at this interchange, near major fire and ambulance stations.

Back in 2009 I sent a question about the Otahuhu train station and a possible upgrade, which you investigated. Since then the train timetables have changed a lot, and Otahuhu station is increasingly used as a transit stop, where passengers disembark and wait for their connecting service. This station is really grotty - is there any hope of a major upgrade?
Helen Cunningham, Otahuhu.

Not much, I'm afraid. It seems that there will be no more Auckland train station upgrades for at least a year. Having said that, Auckland Transport's website states that there is a plan to upgrade all of the region's 41 stations by 2012. Some 20 have been done, so Otahuhu must be creeping up the list. The revamps will include shelters and seating, CCTV, improved lighting and access, safety markings and timetable display boards.