KEY POINTS:
I have noticed over the past few months a couple of what look like security guards with a video camera on a tripod and hand-held radios, not to mention hi-viz jackets. They seem to be monitoring traffic flows on Bader Drive between the Southwestern Motorway overbridge and Mangere Town Centre, but only on the left side, going towards the town centre. What are they doing and who are they doing it for? Denise Frost, Mangere.
They are Manukau City Council parking officers monitoring the Bader Drive bus lanes for people driving in them illegally. Anyone caught driving in a bus lane during restricted hours will be fined $150, with the video footage used as proof. Auckland and North Shore City Councils use similar tactics.
As an apartment dweller in Grafton, I am constantly woken as early as 5.30am by container trucks using air brakes along Symonds St towards the port. Is there a bylaw banning the use of air brakes in the city? Anton Ma Chee, Auckland.
It's actually engine-braking that makes all the noise.
Many councils throughout the country have a bylaw restricting their use but interestingly enough, Auckland City has never had one. It appears that there is an unwritten rule that truckies will not use engine brakes in the city area unless it is a safety issue. If specific incidents are reported to the council its staff will have a word with the company concerned.
Last year, Mt Albert and Carrington Rds were upgraded to include a cycle lane and a parking lane as well. This meant that the two-lane roads were restricted to one lane. During school and university holidays, this is fine as the rush-hour traffic is easy. Now that the schools are back, congestion builds up, and the irony is that there is nary a cyclist in sight on the cycle lanes. Are cars allowed to use these marked cycle lanes during peak travel hours? Mary Lim, Epsom. No. They are exclusively for cyclists.
I too think that the traffic lights controlling motorway onramps are very effective. However, I've noticed that some days they are turned off at the Hobson St southbound onramp. It just seems to make the traffic heavier, so why do they do it? Tatiana Marich, Auckland.
In general, the lights are turned on only during peak traffic flows. They are controlled by a system that monitors the traffic on the motorway and adjusts the lights accordingly.
