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The work will be done in sections by AT, subject to funding.After countless trips and falls by pedestrians, and years of lobbying by local board members, businesses and community groups, Auckland Transport (AT) has admitted that Wellsford’s unpopular clay pavers need taking up and has committed to replacing them with concrete.Programme director Graeme Gunthorp told Rodney Local Board’s monthly meeting on March 19 that AT acknowledged it needed to replace the yellow clay bricks and would commit to doing so over the next three years, although this remained subject to the transport targeted rate budget.
He put forward a detailed work plan of which sections of path along Rodney Street should be replaced in order of priority, and said a significant amount of the work would take place at night to minimise disruption to retailers and transport.“We have already replaced the first section outside Gull, which was destroyed by heavy vehicles parking on it, and intend to continue the replacement with higher ranking areas such as Mobil, Post Shop and Hospice,” he said.The programme marks a sharp about-turn from AT, which previously said there was no need to replace the pavers.
A detailed assessment last year concluded that the footpaths were in acceptable condition and their slip resistance was acceptable and typical for pavers of that type.However, following a move by board member Colin Smith to direct Wellsford’s remaining transport targeted rate money to replacing the pavers in September, AT changed its tack late last year and has since come up with a proposed work schedule.At the March meeting, Smith asked that at least some of the steeper sections be done urgently.
“Is there any way we can push for the Post Shop section to be done before winter? Pregnant women and the elderly have to hang on to the wall to get into the supermarket there because they’re soscared of falling,” he said.Deputy chair Louise Johnston suggested the whole project should be brought forward and supported by AT, as the board had committed so much through its targeted rate programme and even more rate money would be forthcomingin future years.At the end of last year, there was around $330,000 left in the Wellsford targeted rate fund, and Gunthorp said the rate-funded Rodney Street path and footbridge project had come in $92,000 under budget.
Members voted to prioritise paver replacement in the following section order: Post Shop, Mobil, Carpark lane, Hospice, SPCA/Caffe Cozy, Superette, Super Liquor, McDonald’s, Caltex and Drummers.They also asked AT to consider salvaging the old pavers for possible reuse to keep them out of landfill..
