Source: Auckland Council
Franklin Local board has provided formal feedback on Te Tupu Ngātahi Supporting Growth’s work around future transport networks for Pukekohe, Paerata and Drury South, despite concerns over the report.
Te Tupu Ngātahi is a collaboration between Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency but in receiving its report the board expressed concern a raft of changes since 2019 had created confusion and concern in the community.
Board deputy chair Alan Cole says the changes have undermined the ability of the community and the board to provide meaningful feedback. “That includes changes in terminology and naming, and the addition and removal of various elements such as an additional overbridge at Paerata.”
The board provided formal feedback on the report, agreeing the programme is essential in supporting the planning for Pukekohe-Paerata and south Drury’s economic, environmental, social, and cultural well-being.
But Cole says things such as removing freight diversion can’t be supported.
“The diversion of freight away from residential areas and the town centre would deliver significant quality of life and safety outcomes while also reducing carbon emissions.
“We have significant concerns about the change from providing a ring-road in Pukekohe to divert trucks and freight from pedestrian-heavy areas, and the exclusion of upgrades to intersections on Route 20 on the Supporting Growth map.
“We’ve also noted the scope of work does not include aggregate and land fill transport support for the Wairoa area, in particular Clevedon-Takanini and Clevedon-Papakura, or ey connect ions to Mill Road for safe routes. Nor is there designation planning for connections to Waikato to take growth into account.”
The board did back efforts to support cycling and walking paths and recommend the work undertaken by the board in the Pukekohe-Paerata Paths Plan be referenced, that the Supporting Growth staff engage in developing the broader Paths Programme.
Cole says members supported the north-east and north-west – to the intersection of Gun Club Rd – sections of the ring road around Pukekohe as proposed, but not using the Golding Road intersection as the outer ring road connection point.
“We do not support sending traffic past Pukekohe Hill Primary School because it would create safety and congestion issues, and we don’t support using West Street and Helvetia Road because it would split a residential community and undermine their quality of life.”
Other concerns centred on more traffic with the expansion of the Glenbrook steel mill and a proposed reduction from four to two lanes for any Ramarama-Pukekohe expressway.
The board’s full resolution is here.
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