Council dumps bump

Valerie Schuler | 5th February 2010

Sandringham people have got the hump because their street isn't safe, reports Valerie Schuler.

Young children and speeding cars do not mix. As one person puts it: the two are a disaster waiting to happen. But it looks as if hoons will continue to have free reign over Sandringham.

Persistent lobbying by residents to stop motorists racing down suburban streets between Dominion Rd and Sandringham Rd has been largely ignored, bringing criticism that the council's assessment system is flawed.

After a long string of complaints about traffic in the area, the Eden/Albert Community Board has asked for traffic on Calgary St, Halesowen Ave and Pine St to be assessed. The board's main concern is the neighbourhood's changing demographic - more young families and small children mean a greater need for traffic safety.

The council has assessed the streets and looked at options to slow  the traffic on them. It is estimated that installing traffic-calming measures -  council-speak for speed bumps -  will cost about $430,000.

Network performance manager Karen Hay says: "The council made a commitment to affordable progress - prudent expenditure with a view to reducing the cost to ratepayers.

In other words, nothing will be done this financial year.

Calgary St resident Helga Arlington, who first spoke to The Aucklander about the problems last April, says it's very disappointing.

"It's a disaster waiting to happen. Not everyone knows to report traffic incidents to the council and I think there have been a lot more incidents on Calgary St than recorded.

"There is an extremely high degree of support on our street to get speed bumps. There are a lot of young families here and they want their kids to be safe."

Christopher Dempsey, from the community board, agrees.

"It's unbelievable," he says. "Traffic in this area has been an issue for so many years. The demographic is changing rapidly and there are  a lot of young professional couples with small children. The Sandringham Plunket is the busiest in central Auckland.

"The council has not even considered this. It shows a real weakness in their assessment model."

The council says Calgary St is not a priority.

Based on crash history, traffic volumes and average speed, it rates 59th on a list of 133 streets in central Auckland where people  have requested traffic-calming measures.

Mr Dempsey says he will keep pushing the council to take action.