Seven pedestrian level crossings in Auckland are to be removed to improve safety ahead of the opening of the City Rail Link (CRL).
Works on the removal of two in South Auckland at Wiri’s Homai Train Station on the Southern Line was currently underway, along with five more in other parts of the city.
Auckland Transport programme director Kris Gibson said the removal was for operational and safety reasons.
“When CRL goes live, the number of trains that will be run on the network progressively increases,” Gibson said.
“More trains means the barrier arms are down longer, which means it has an operational impact to pedestrians and road users and also increases the safety risk with people.
“Data tells us that poor decision-making can occur, people may be frustrated or make their own decisions at the crossings.”
AT has observed pedestrians pressing the emergency release button and crossing in front of oncoming trains, school children climbing over gates while closed or prams becoming stuck in the tracks as people cross.
Gibson said the removal of pedestrian crossings and upgrades were required to demonstrate to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency that they have reduced the risk of an incident, such as a near miss or collision, before CRL opens.
Gibson said currently, there were three accesses to the Homai Train Station – all frequently used by the Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ (BLENNZ) school close by.
The pedestrian-only level crossing from McVilley Road and from the Park and Ride and bus stop, both not controlled by automatic safety gates, would be removed.
The concrete stair access from the Browns Rd over bridge would also be removed, but be replaced by a ramp and would be the only access to Homai in the future.
“Bearing in mind the community this train station serves, in particular the blind and low vision, the use of steps isn’t acceptable.
“So we will remove those concrete steps and replace with a ramp from Browns Rd bridge to the station. We’ve spent a lot of time with the BLENZZ to design this ramp that suits their particular needs.”
Gibson said the materials used for the ramp, including the colour palette specifically chosen for the design, would help people with low vision articulate depth perception.
“A normal uniform ramp, for low vision users it’s difficult for them to tell or sort of calculate the gradient in their mind. But we’ve designed a structure that the colour palette changes assists with that depth perception.
“The feedback we’ve got from that community, including mana whenua, and local schools, regardless of level crossings, this is a really good outcome for the community.”
The other five pedestrian level crossings being removed in Auckland are at O’Neills Road in Swanson, Corban Estate in Henderson, Tironui Station Road East in Takanini, Newmarket’s Kingdom Street and Lloyd Avenue in Mt Albert.
Gibson said they would continue to communicate the status of works to the public.
The removal of the two Homai crossings, and upgrade of a ramp was expected to be completed early next year.
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