Vaughans Road Closure: May-2024 Update - Long Bay Residents Association

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Dear Long Bay and surrounding Communities,

In September 2023, Auckland Transport (AT) constructed a “temporary” 18 – 24 month closure of Vaughans Road at number 189 in order to allow time to consider and plan options for the improvement of the road to safely allow traffic. Additionally the safety of the Okura River Road/Vaughans Road intersection was to be reviewed. The Long Bay Residents’ Association (LBRA) believe it is crucial to keep our community informed and engaged in shaping the future of our neighbourhood. The LBRA board regularly communicates with Auckland Council and AT, advocating for progress on behalf of residents.

Here’s a summary of the situation as of May-2024:

As part of the closure, AT committed to providing an update of the options/plans to be completed by March/April 2024. Presenting these options/plans has now been delayed until at least late June 2024. This is an additional 2 – 3 month delay and is highly disappointing as ultimately the timeframe for re-opening Vaughans Road would likely be impacted.
The allocation of funds for the improvement works on Vaughans Road is needing to be included in the draft Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP). The draft plan is open for feedback until 17th June 2024.
A plan for the minor works on the Okura River Road / Vaughans Road intersection were provided on 22nd May 2024, with work indicatively to take place in June/July 2024. See further details below.

What can you do to make your voice heard?

Share your personal feedback on the draft Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) supporting both the Glenvar Road/East Coast Road Upgrade AND Vaughans Road Improvement projects by 17th June 2024 https://haveyoursay.at.govt.nz/hub-page/rltp
Send your feedback by emailing ATEngagement@at.govt.nz with “Vaughans Road” in the subject line and cc longbayra@gmail.com
Support us in a submission to AT via our in-person feedback on the draft RLTP – email your interest to longbayra@gmail.com, let us know of any other local organisations that could help.
Be active and advocate for the causes that impact you:
1. Join or donate to the LBRA at https://longbay.nz.
2. Share your ideas with residents: join the Long Bay Community Facebook Group
3. Advocate for your community: Share your views with us at longbayra@gmail.com so we can represent your concerns.

Background

Auckland Transport held an information evening with Long Bay and surrounding residents on Monday, 4th September 2023 following a similar event in Okura on Wednesday, 16th August, to share plans for the temporary closure at 189 Vaughans Road, spanning an estimated 18-24 months. The implementation of the closure was aligned with the completion of the Long Bay/Te Oneroa Way works by Templeton Group and certification by Auckland Council, which occurred in approximately September 2023, which effectively opened the link between Long Bay and Okura via Te Oneroa Way/Vaughans Road.

The primary focus of this closure was to address safety concerns related to Vaughans Road’s current state, width, and location, as well as safety issues at the Okura River Road intersection. AT predicts a substantial increase in traffic if the road opens to traffic from Long Bay.

An options paper “Severing Vaughans Road” (ref 1.) was presented to the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board on 18th July 2023 stating that “Vaughans Road was neither identified or funded for an upgrade”, with Option 2 of the seven presented being recommended as the preferred “Temporary Closure” option.

However, since at least the early 2000’s, Vaughans Road had been mooted as one of 4 connections from the Long Bay Structure Plan (LBSP) area (ref 2.), which also includes specifications on the proposed roads hence necessitating upgrades. The Environment Court ruling in 2008 Decision A078/2008 also refers to these (ref 3.).

The four connections are:

Vaughans Road
Glenvar Road (formerly Valley Road/Glenvar Road)
Ashley Avenue
Beach Road (extension)

From 2010, the North Shore City Council prompted for feedback on the Vaughans upgrade, as described in a Stuff article (ref 4.):

The upgrade for Vaughans Rd include widening to provide consistent and adequate lane widths plus a wide pedestrian footpath on one side for the entire route.

The footpath could also be used by cyclists.

Upgrade plans for Okura River Rd feature road widening, future-proofing bus use and a pedestrian footpath on one side from East Coast Rd to the intersection with Vaughans Rd.

Detailed upgrade plans were created (ref 5.), consultation was undertaken from 17 October 2012 to 12 November 2012, and the budget was allocated from the Auckland Council Long Term Plan (LTP) (ref 6.), anecdotally estimated to cost $15 million.

Temporary Closure Details

The closure will involve implementing various measures, including wooden and steel bollards, both fixed and retractable for emergency access. Additionally, turning bays will be created on either side, using temporary materials.

AT has also committed to minor visibility improvements at the Okura River Road/Vaughans Road intersection. They anticipate the closure to last for 18-24 months and plan to seek $1.5 – $2 million funding for “localised widening” of Vaughans Road.

What Does This Mean for Long Bay Residents?

· No vehicular access beyond number 189 Vaughans Road from the Long Bay/Te Oneroa Way side.

· No immediate commitment to a major Vaughans Road upgrade, with the funding deadline in the Regional Land Transport Plan 2024 – 2027 drawing near.

· Considerable resources allocated for temporary measures.

· An anticipated surge in “boy racer” traffic, attributed to the accessibility of Piripiri Point via Te Oneroa Way. Residents’ have very much noticed this with many complaints of undesirable activity.

· The documented four accesses to Long Bay are not provided for, and especially problematic given the current Glenvar Road situation.

· Implications for emergency access and Resilience Plans during the closure period.

What is the preferred long term outcome?

Ideally the major Okura / Vaughans Road Upgrade as planned per 2012 would be approved and budgeted in full as part of the Regional Long Term Plan (RLTP) 2024-2027, with any work undertaken in the meantime working towards this goal.

Progress – Okura River Road / Vaughans Road intersection – May-2024

On the 22-May-2024, Auckland Transport advised of the plans for minor signs/paint improvements for the Okura River Road / Vaughans Road intersection. AT provided this update:

We would like to thank the Okura and Vaughans Road residents for their patience and support since the temporary closure went up at 189 Vaughans Road last year. At the community drop-in sessions, we received feedback to improve safety at the Vaughans Road and Okura River Road intersection. The current layout of this intersection is considered high-risk as the motorists driving from Vaughans Road merge onto Okura River Road without stopping.

We are now planning to make some safety upgrades at this intersection between June/July 2024.

They include:

Changing the road markings and shoulder markings at the Vaughans Road and Okura River Road to make it safer.
Marking the edge of Vaughans Road and Okura Valley Road intersection with catseye markers.

We will try minimise our disruption while making this intersection safer for you. Please contact projects@at.govt.nz for any further details on construction.

Okura River Road and Vaughans Road intersection improvements plan.

Progress – May-2024 Options/Plans for Vaughans Road Upgrade

On the 2-May-2024 AT provided the following update with regards to the report due March/April 2024 to Auckland Council Local Board:
The study is underway with respect to road widening options along Vaughans Rd as well as any lower cost measures that could be implemented to make the road safer for the increased traffic flow. Our plan is to go back to the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board at the end of June this year to present the concepts and seek feedback on the direction we should be heading in terms of the future of the connection. I believe the public are free to join this, so we will endeavour to keep you informed of the exact date closer to time.

Community Action

Long Bay residents are being called to take the opportunity to advocate and provide feedback on this matter, and we’re determined to ensure that happens. Here’s what you can do:

Share your personal feedback on the draft Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) by 17th June 2024 https://haveyoursay.at.govt.nz/hub-page/rltp
Send your feedback by emailing ATEngagement@at.govt.nz with “Vaughans Road” in the subject line and cc longbayra@gmail.com
Support us in a submission to AT via our in-person feedback on the draft RLTP – email your interest to longbayra@gmail.com, let us know of any other local organisations that could help.
Be active and advocate for the causes that impact you:
1. Join or donate to the LBRA at https://longbay.nz.
2. Share your ideas with residents: join the Long Bay Community Facebook Group
3. Advocate for your community: Share your views with us at longbayra@gmail.com so we can represent your concerns.

Our community’s unity and involvement are essential as we navigate this situation together. Let’s work collaboratively to ensure our voices are heard and our neighbourhood remains vibrant and accessible for all.