Council trials right turn ban on Onewa Rd

October 11, 2005

New traffic management measures along Onewa Rd, Northcote will ban right turns at two locations during the morning rush hour for a trial period of three months.

The move aims to improve safety and traffic flow along the arterial route, and provide a better service to all, says North Shore City manager of transport operations and support services, Tom Morton.

A recent traffic survey shows that a large number of motorists each morning, between 6am and 9am, take alternative routes to avoid using Onewa Rd.

The great majority of these travel via Little Shoal Bay, turning left at the eastern end of Onewa Rd at Queen St, and then right into either Nutsey Ave or the BP station at the corner of Lake Rd. The number of accidents at both locations has increased.

"This type of manoeuvre is seriously disrupting the flow of traffic on Onewa Rd and poses a danger to motorists travelling freely along the transit lane. It also increases traffic flows on residential streets," says Mr Morton.

"These drivers are placing the lives of others at risk. Safety is our primary concern and should this practice continue, we feel it is only a matter of time before a crash results in someone being seriously injured or killed."

The restrictions are the only practical measure that can be taken to reduce the level of risk, he says.

"As well as improving safety, we expect traffic on Onewa Rd to move more quickly."

The right turn ban will come into effect on Monday, October 31. Flexible posts will be installed each weekday morning between the hours of 6.30 and 8.30am. The council's Parksafe officers, who currently police the use of the transit lane, will enforce the new measure.

Mr Morton says the ban should also reduce the demand on Queen St, which is the only realistic route for Northcote Point commuters.

Meanwhile the council is carrying out a study to determine long-term solutions to traffic congestion along Onewa Rd, and this may or may not include making the right-turn ban permanent, he says.

"We need to look at the local road network as a whole to ensure it works to capacity and provides all motorists from all areas with equal and fair access," says Mr Morton. "The road network works well if people use it as it was designed to be used."

Information on the latest traffic management measures is available on the council's website at www.northshorecity.govt.nz

ENDS

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