27 May 2015

A fresh look at parking in Auckland

Auckland Transport has adopted a parking strategy which will mean a consistent approach for the first time for parking across the region.

The document allows for a case by case approach to parking taking into account local issues and the views of local boards and the community. Consultation with the community will continue as parking measures are introduced.

In May 2014, Auckland Transport released the Parking Discussion Document for public consultation. The Discussion Document set out key parking issues in Auckland, provided suggested approaches to meet these issues and sought community feedback to guide the development of the AT Parking Strategy. As part of the consultation process, there were 22 workshops with local boards, industry groups, business associations, and Auckland Council.

More than 5,500 submissions were received, a quarter were about the overall management of demand parking, 18% were about parking on residential streets and on park and rides and 11% were about parking on arterial roads. Half the submissions came from central Auckland or from CBD fringe suburbs such as Parnell, Ponsonby and Newton.

Auckland Transport’s Parking Services Manager Russell Derecourt says there has been pressure to find a solution to commuter parking issues in residential streets. “The problem involves commuters and service vehicles parking long term and taking parking from local residents.”

Mr Derecourt says Auckland Transport has been talking with residential groups and will, in conjunction with local boards and the community develop a consultation programme.

In addition there is the issue of managing space on arterial roads and traffic conflicting with kerbside parking. In Auckland, 60% of bus trips, 40% of car journeys and 35% of trips by goods vehicles are on arterials.

Chief Strategy Officer Peter Clark says there is a need to manage parking on arterial roads to optimise the number of people, services and goods moving on those roads. “Auckland Transport recognises that we need to take a measured approach in town centres to take into account local characteristics and develop solutions that meet local needs, we will do this in consultation with local boards, business associations and the local community”.

He says park and rides in the right places have proven to effectively extend the potential number of users for public transport and get people out of their cars. There are currently around 5,500 park and ride spots and 80% are full by 8am with parking overflowing into local streets. Further opportunities for park and rides will be reviewed taking into consideration appropriate land use in a rapidly growing city.

The AT Parking Strategy contributes to the achievement of Auckland Transport’s strategic themes and Auckland Plan outcomes. It also outlines the guiding principles and policies for the management and supply of on-street and AT-controlled off-street parking in Auckland.

The AT Parking Strategy and the submissions document can be found here: www.at.govt.nz/about-us/transport-plans-strategies/parking-strategy

ENDS

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