Auckland City Council
Media release

5 February 2009

Sandringham Road plan approved by Transport Committee

A major upgrade to Sandringham Road that will provide long-term transport benefits to the area and ready the city for Rugby World Cup (RWC) has today been approved by Auckland City Council’s Transport Committee.

The upgrade is part of a long-term transport plan for Sandringham Road that aims to deliver an integrated transport corridor to improve pedestrian safety and provide better transport choices for the residents and businesses within the wider and local community. The redevelopment of Eden Park for the Rugby World Cup 2011 and the required upgrade of the Kingsland rail station by the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) have provided a catalyst for these corridor improvements to be delivered earlier than originally planned.

“A great deal of work to improve public transport facilities, traffic flow and safety has taken place along Sandringham Road over the past 10 years and this project is an important step towards fulfilling the overall vision for this important transport corridor,” says Councillor Ken Baguley, Chairperson of the Transport Committee.

In October 2008, the Council consulted with local residents, community groups, organisations and businesses to gather submissions on the proposed plan. The feedback was taken into account when compiling the final report that was approved today.

Some of the benefits for Sandringham Road and the surrounding area will include significantly improved traffic and pedestrian safety, faster and more reliable travel for buses and cyclists and an enhanced street environment through renewed footpaths, new street furniture and undergrounding of overhead utilities along Sandringham Road.

An important part of the plan also includes realigning the section of road outside Kingsland Station. This will allow ARTA to widen the Station in order to increase passenger capacity to meet the growing public demand for rail. It will also allow ARTA to improve the overall safety and operation of this important rail facility.

“In addition to long term benefits, the Committee felt that the completion of this project is vital in order for Auckland to meet the transport and pedestrian safety requirements for the Rugby World Cup,” says Councillor Baguley.

The plan also includes building a link lane connecting Sandringham Road with Walters Road. The lane will create improved access and pedestrian flow by separating New North Road and CBD bound pedestrians from train bound event patrons. It will also assist Police to better manage crowds that are entering and exiting the stadium.

Pedestrian modelling and scenario testing undertaken by Eden Park, ARTA and Auckland City Council has identified that between 5,000 and 10,000 people per match will use the proposed link lane to access and exit the stadium for the RWC and for future major events at Eden Park. It will also provide the local community with shorter journey options that can assist in promoting cycling and walking in the area.

The budget for the improvements to Sandringham Road and building the proposed link lane is $18m, however with a secured New Zealand Transport Agency subsidy of 53% and expected revenue from property sales, the net cost to the council will be approximately $10.5m.

Construction is expected to begin during 2010 for completion in early 2011.

ENDS

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