KEY POINTS:
Are there any plans to extend the one-way access in John St in Ponsonby to include the bit between Pompallier Tce and Richmond Rd? As a resident of this street I continually have to negotiate cars parked on the footpath, making it necessary to step out on to the road when I'm walking. The problem for residents is that the road is so narrow that if they parked legally outside their houses they would block the road. The route is also used by commuters, and it is very difficult for two cars to pass. Denise Lazelle, Ponsonby.
The council knows that parking is a nightmare in John St, as is negotiating your way through, and they are sympathetic. To try to reduce rat-running through here, they've installed gateway systems at Jervois Rd and Lincoln St to restrict the traffic coming through these intersections.
The problem with making John St one-way for its whole length is that it pushes the problem on to adjacent streets, and they're all pretty narrow in such an old part of the city.
The council is going to review parking in John St to try to improve things. This could include putting in a no-stopping restriction on one side of the street, or perhaps a time restriction on parking. Once the options are sorted out, the residents will be consulted so that the outcome suits everybody.
What is the speed limit on the ring roads surrounding the mall and Megacentre in Albany? I've never seen any signs, so I've always assumed it was 50km/h, but the roads surrounding the complex vary from 50 in Medallion Drive to 80 on Albany Highway. Rosie Wayper, Torbay.
Andy Irwin, roads engineer for North Shore City, says that if you don't see a sign, then the speed limit is 50km/h anywhere within the city boundaries. Greville Rd and Albany Expressway (State Highway 17) are 80km/h, except for the bit through Albany Village, which is 50km/h. Oteha Valley Rd is 60km/h southwest of Rising Parade, and there is a 40km/h school zone near Pinehill School. Work has begun on the upgrade of Civic Cres, and that will be a 30km/h zone, to make it more people-friendly.
And on the subject of school zones -
The signs say "You are entering a school zone 40" or "You are exiting ... " which is fine. What times do the restrictions start and end? Pam Harpham, Avondale.
The speed restriction applies for about 20-30 minutes before and after the school day.
