KEY POINTS:
Recently I have noticed a lot of rubbish against the median barrier on the Northwestern Motorway. Who is responsible for keeping these roads clean? Brian Livingstone, Auckland.
Transit is, for the motorways and state highways at least. The entire network is cleaned every two weeks. Items too big for the mechanical sweeper are picked up by hand.
***
I catch a Howick and Eastern bus to work every morning. It's a relaxing trip except when we approach the shopping centre on Pakuranga Rd. Invariably the bus gets stuck in the traffic heading for the Southeastern Motorway. We often take 20 minutes to cover this short stretch. Are there any plans to introduce bus lanes along this bit of road? David Batchelor, Howick.
The seductively named Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative is looking at improvements in the area which will take a lot of the traffic off Pakuranga Rd. These changes, with proposals for bus lanes on Pakuranga Rd between Ti Rakau Drive and the Panmure bridge, should speed up bus travel.
***
Can you confirm that traffic turning right into a public carpark entrance must give way to exiting cars turning right? I was always under the impression that if you were turning into a public road from any non-road - driveways, car parks and so on - you gave way to everything. Stuart Dunlop, Auckland.
The 2005 Road Code states that give- way rules apply at all intersections where there are no traffic lights, give way or stop signs or police officers directing traffic. It includes in its definition of intersection, a site where a public entrance or exit joins a street or road. So entrances and exits to supermarkets, petrol stations and public parking areas are regarded as intersections. The give-way rule for uncontrolled intersections says that if you are turning you should give way to all vehicles not turning. In all other situations, give way to vehicles crossing or coming from your right. However, the Road Code is a guide only. For the final word, one must consult the Traffic Regulations 1976.
