18 January 2007

Panmure roundabout gets safety overhaul

Clearer lane markings are scheduled for the Panmure roundabout on Tuesday, 30 January, to improve traffic safety at this key intersection connecting Manukau and Auckland cities. Auckland City’s marking improvements to the roundabout are in line with recent Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ) regulations, which state that all roundabouts must be clearly marked leading into and on the roundabout.

The changes at Panmure roundabout will mean motorists will have a clearer indication of which approach lane they must be in to take any one of the six exits. Councillor Richard Simpson says a number of motorists currently use lanes that do not correspond with the appropriate exit. “There is very limited guidance at this notorious roundabout.

People get confused about which lane they should be in, resulting in weaving and potentially dangerous movements. It’s no wonder that the Panmure roundabout has the highest crash record of any intersection in Auckland city,” says Mr Simpson. “Between 2001 and 2005, there were 207 crashes. Fortunately, most of the crashes were non-injury, with eight crashes causing injury over the five-year period.”

Mr Simpson urges people to drive with particular care while they adjust to the changes.

“Considering the difficult nature of the Panmure roundabout, it’s vital people drive with caution while they get used to the new lane markings. “We are making every effort to ensure drivers are alerted of the new layout before they navigate the roundabout. Large road signs and digital message boards will be installed in the area to advise motorists as they approach the busy intersection.”

Mr Simpson says that Auckland City traffic engineers anticipate the roundabout will have slightly less capacity due to the safety improvements. “It is vital we weigh up the vast safety benefits anticipated by these changes against minor delays while drivers adjust to the changes. Traffic modelling has shown that limitations to capacity will not be significant.”

Key changes include: making the two lane approach on Lagoon Drive permanent at all times.

Temporary traffic cones, which create three lanes during morning peaks, will be removed to eliminate weaving as drivers enter two lanes within the roundabout motorists approaching from Jellicoe Road planning to exit at the Ellerslie Panmure Highway will need to use the right hand lane approach only.

The left lane is for traffic accessing Queens Road and Lagoon Drive the three-lane approach from Queens Road will be restricted to two lanes only the left lane on the Ireland Road approach is for motorists planning to exit at the Ellerslie-Panmure Highway only.

ENDS

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