We received an email asking whether GLRA would be consulting with the community on the Surrey Crescent road upgrade project. Here’s why not…
TL;DR
Projects such as this generally go through 4 phases…
- Plan
- Consult
- Revise plan based on feedback
- Implement
The Surrey Crescent and Old Mill Road project has gone through multiple rounds of consultation. It’s been consulted up the wazoo.
After so much consultation and community engagement, it is arguably amongst the most highly-consulted projects on AT’s books.
There is no need for MORE consultation.
At this late stage, with the project due to commence shortly, our focus is on influencing late improvements to the project for the benefit of our Grey Lynn community.
The Email
Following our AGM update, we received the following email…
Hey guys,
Thanks for the update on this project.
As a member of GLRA I have a few questions if you don’t mind letting me know.
- Will you be consulting with the community on this project and plans to date
- If so, what format will that take ie – will there be community meetings – perhaps after market day on a Sunday. St Colomba is a good venue.
- Will you be undertaking a survey – either via your facebook or website page
- Will you be seeking submissions from the community on the suggested plan.
- Have you discussed a safe crossing from the north side of Garnet Rd to the sth side, so children especially who live on that side can safely cross to get to school. I know this is an issue with parents.
- Lollipops – there is also issues around this and safety of crossings around this area.
Look forward to your response
Project Overview
Auckland Transport’s Surrey Crescent and Old Mill Road improvements project is part of a wider programme of works to improve transport routes in the inner west (Grey Lynn to Pt Chevalier) connecting this area to the city centre.
The project includes footpath upgrades, cycling paths, new road surfacing and improved pedestrian crossings. It is cost-effective, quick and easy to implement.
Work is scheduled to start in July 2025 and finish in September 2025.
The project takes advantage of planned maintenance for the road, which will see the road surface improved throughout the route. The upgrade works are being combined with this planned maintenance to minimise construction time and cost.
AT has done extensive engagement with the local community on improving this area since 2016 and has incorporated this feedback into their latest plans.
There is great local support for the project, with the community asking AT to start it as soon as possible.
Surrey Crescent Road Upgrade Timeline
The Surrey Crescent road upgrade project has been a long and complex journey, with a history spanning over a decade.
The project originally started as part of the Waitematā Safer Routes project, the intention of which was to improve safety and accessibility for all road users. It has since gone through multiple rounds of planning, consultation, and revised plans.
Here are the key milestones in this decade-long saga…
2014: The National Government announces funding for cycleways in urban centres, paving the way for the Surrey Crescent project.
Early 2016: The first round of public consultation takes place, focusing on proposed cycling routes throughout Grey Lynn, Pt Chevalier, and Westmere (Waitematā Safer Routes). Feedback from this consultation shows strong support for the cycleway network, leading to the confirmation of the proposed routes.
Mid-2016: The project team refines the plans based on the 2016 consultation feedback and prepares for construction.
May 2017: Construction is initially planned to begin.
December 2017: Construction is halted due to local concerns and design issues identified in the completed (and heavily flawed) West Lynn Village section.
2018: A redesign process is undertaken, and the community is re-engaged with more consultation in the form of community workshops.
Late 2018: Public consultation on the revised designs is conducted. Feedback is gathered on various aspects, including the cycleway, roads, traffic calming, planting, pedestrian amenity, parking, and bus stops.
2019: Public feedback from the 2018 consultation is analysed and considered by the project team.
2020: The project is paused due to the COVID-19 emergency budget, causing further delays.
Mid-2021: Temporary safety measures are installed outside Grey Lynn School to address immediate concerns.
Early 2022: Another round of public consultation is conducted, focusing on revised designs for the Richmond Rd route and the Surrey Crescent, Old Mill Road, and Garnet Rd route. Feedback is gathered with most people focusing their feedback on indicating whether they are in general support or opposed, parking reduction, design suggestions, and the Safe School Speeds trial.
Early 2023: Funding for the project is diverted to other projects following flood events, leading to further setbacks.
Mid-2023: Funding is confirmed for permanent changes outside Grey Lynn School, ensuring some progress on the project. No funding is confirmed for any other aspects of the original program.
March 2024: With Surrey Crescent and Old Mill Road scheduled for road resurfacing as part of the scheduled roads maintenance program, GLRA and others campaigned for the maintenance project to include an element of road upgrades too, as per AT’s stated philosophy of getting the most out of their budget (dig once).
Our campaign was successful and elements of the original Waitematā Safer Routes project were combined with the road resurfacing upgrade, along with the permanent changes outside Grey Lynn School.
It should be noted that the intersection at the top of Richmond Road & Surrey Crescent is omitted from this project. That intersection will be upgraded at some later date.
The project terminates at the intersection of Old Mill Road and Wellpark Ave at the Westmere end, and at Prime Road at the Grey Lynn end.
Late 2024: AT commenced more public engagement for the combined Surrey Crescent and Old Mill Road improvements project, marking the latest chapter in the project’s development.
The Surrey Crescent road upgrade project highlights the complexities of urban planning and the importance of community engagement.
While the road to completion has been long and winding, the project continues to move forward, with the hope of ultimately delivering a safer and more accessible road for all.
Garnet Road Crossing
The emailer asked whether we have discussed a safe crossing from the north side of Garnet Rd to the south side, so children can safely cross to get to school.
Garnet Road is not included in the Surrey Crescent and Old Mill Road upgrade project and has therefore not been discussed.
Lollipops Crossing
The emailer noted that there are also issues around crossing safety outside Lollipops childcare centre at 120 Surrey Crescent, 50m from the intersection of Surrey Cres and Richmond Rd.
There is currently a pedestrian refuge in the middle of the road and curb build-outs on either side. We think this is inadequate and have advocated strongly for it to be replaced with a raised pedestrian crossing.
AT advise that it is not part of the Surrey Crescent and Old Mill Road upgrade project, but will be considered as part of a future upgrade of the Richmond Road & Surrey Crescent intersection, which is only 50m away.
We’re disappointed that children and parents have to wait for this crossing to be made safer. We will advocate for it when the Richmond Road & Surrey Crescent intersection upgrade project is released for consultation.
Up the wazoo consultation meant you were told the plans, you raised your concerns, a changeover of AT personnel who don’t live in the area who nodded their head said yes yes we are listening but really not listening, and boom SILENCE. Project commences and the concerns raised not addressed. St Josephs school and church have had to perish the mayhem and lack of communication from the PM and disruption from the works. Luckily the contractors are Pasifika and the St Josephs community predominantly Pasifika, we managed to work together to agree to disagree, however if this was a palangi community, I’m sure it would have been a different outcome. Yes I’ll rant on this palangi page but it’s time you support our voices next time you consult and put forward your recommendations to change a community we live, breathe and love ❤️. And stop using pedestrian Heath and Safety as an excuse to address REAL issues in GL.
Hi Ming, thanks for your comment. Just to clarify, this article is about the Surrey Cres and Old Mill Rd project on the Westmere side of Grey Lynn shops. The Great North Road project you reference on the city side of Grey Lynn shops is a different one.