No change in use for road through Little Shoal Bay Reserve - but legalisation to be looked at

July 5, 2006

North Shore City Council will investigate legalising the road through Little Shoal Bay, which has been in use for almost a century, but local residents should notice no change.

"Due to an anomaly, the road joining Maritime Tce and Council Tce is actually part of the reserve," North Shore City's infrastructure and environment committee chairman, Tony Barker, says.

"That has created problems with traffic enforcement, and with the council applying for funding from Land Transport New Zealand for any work we do on the road.

"However, we wish to reassure residents in the area that we do not want to see traffic volumes increase on this road.

"On the contrary, legalising the road will help us improve the road more quickly, and allow the police to enforce a ban on heavy vehicles. We will continue to ensure traffic calming measures keep cars travelling slowly through this wonderful reserve."

The council will consult further with the Little Shoal Bay Action Committee, Northcote Residents' Association and Birkenhead Residents' Association to get feedback on any concerns they have about the road, and keep residents informed of any planned improvements to the road.

"It is important to us to keep local residents, who are regular users of both the road and the reserve, informed about what is happening. That includes reassuring them that we have no intention of doing anything that would increase traffic on this road," Councillor Barker says.

"The co-operation and contribution from these residents' groups have already helped us to make decisions about the road.

"Now we want to maintain the character of Little Shoal Bay Reserve, while still allowing people to safely use the road, which is an important link between Birkenhead and Northcote."

ENDS

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