Letter about Auckland Transport’s proposed “change in direction” and Inner West street improvements
Attn: Mark Lambert, Interim Chief Executive of Auckland Transport
Wayne Donnelly, Acting Chair of Auckland Transport
CC: John Watson, Chair of Auckland Council’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee
RE: Auckland Transport’s proposed “change in direction” and Inner West street improvements
In October the media reported that Auckland Transport (AT) intended to “change direction” in response to a letter from Mayor Wayne Brown, including halting some cycling projects. It was also reported that the councillor for the Waitematā and Gulf Ward, Mike Lee – who has since been appointed as a director of AT – had written to the Mayor suggesting he instruct AT to halt three street improvement projects planned for Auckland’s inner west suburbs. These projects, known collectively as the Inner West street improvements, are the Point Chevalier to Westmere improvements, the Grey Lynn and Westmere improvements, and the Great North Road improvements.
We are not aware of any subsequent public statement from AT on the status of the projects. AT sent a generic reply to concerned correspondents in late November indicating a “stocktake” of the projects and promising more information “in due course”.
We write to signal our concern at these reports, and to remind AT of its obligations and the well-documented support of Aucklanders for active and public transport.
First, we remind AT that its direction is officially set in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport, the Regional Land Transport Plan for Auckland (RLTP), AT’s Statement of Intent, the Auckland Plan 2050, and Auckland Council’s Long-Term Plan, among other governing documents. There is no proper basis on which AT can alter its strategic direction based on comments from a single elected representative.
Second, research has consistently shown that Aucklanders want access to active and public transport as meaningful alternatives to driving. AT’s own annual Active Modes surveys have shown that one in five Aucklanders cycle at least once a month, while another one in five – around 280,000 people – do not currently cycle but are open to the idea, with two-thirds citing safety as the main barrier. Research commissioned in 2021 by Waka Kotahi confirmed previous findings that around two-thirds of Aucklanders support cycling in their community, with 40% very supportive. Moreover, in public feedback on the 2021 RLTP, prioritising cycling was one of the strongest themes – along with calls to improve and expand public transport, discourage car use, and take stronger action on climate change. Therefore, when the Mayor says AT must seek to understand how Aucklanders “want to live in the future”, we already know the answer to that question: they want more transport choice in the form of more active and public transport, and to be less reliant on cars.
Third, Auckland Council has recently adopted the Transport Emissions Reduction Pathway (TERP), which sets out the steps required to reduce Auckland’s transport emissions by 64% by 2030, as called for in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan. The TERP states that this requires Aucklanders to “use cars less and walk, cycle and use public transport more”. “Supercharging walking and cycling” is the first transformation identified in the TERP, including “upgraded and expanded walking and cycling networks that serve more people”. The TERP has been expressly endorsed by the board of AT. Auckland Council has directed AT to embed implementation of the TERP through all of its activities, and to immediately commence implementation of actions earmarked for delivery in the first two years. The Mayor’s letter of expectation, sent to AT today, reiterates that AT is required to implement the TERP. Any “change in direction” away from active and public transport is in direct conflict with AT’s obligations in respect of the TERP.
Fourth, in relation to the Inner West street improvement projects that Councillor Lee has suggested should be put on hold, we remind AT of the following points:
These projects have been planned for seven years, during which time they have enjoyed consistent support and funding from central and local government. Two of the projects were first funded in 2015 through the Urban Cycleways Programme. All three have been included for funding and delivery in successive RLTPs, including the most recent 2021 RLTP, and they are included in AT’s current Statement of Intent. Auckland Council and the relevant local boards have supported the projects throughout. The projects are consistent with the TERP, Vision Zero (AT’s transport safety strategy and action plan), and the Mayor’s letter of expectation. Each project has completed detailed design and is now ready for construction.
Successive rounds of consultation have confirmed (and re-confirmed) very strong community support for the projects. Councillor Lee’s claims about residents’ views are inconsistent with the evidence that AT has carefully assembled. You will be aware from correspondence you have received from all corners of the community that there is widespread dismay at the prospect of further delays. The deep community support for the projects is driven by genuine and well-founded concerns for improved safety, better travel choices, enhanced public spaces and reduced transport emissions. AT’s decision-making must be governed by its legal obligations and the evidence. The personal views of a single councillor / AT board member must be put to one side, especially when they conflict with urgent climate and safety targets.
The projects are not simply cycleway projects as they have sometimes been characterised in the media. They are multi-modal upgrades that deliver safety benefits for all road users, including new and improved pedestrian crossings; traffic and bus efficiency upgrades; improved business access (e.g. new loading zones); place-quality upgrades (e.g. street trees and seating); reduced transport emissions; and a critical rebuild of a failing road formation on Meola Road. The projects include a planned “dig once” approach, coordinating the timing of the work with other project partners to deliver upgrades to power, water and telecommunications infrastructure. The evidence of why these improvements are essential is well-known to AT. It is incumbent on AT to ensure elected representatives are properly apprised of the manifold benefits the projects will deliver.
The projects are receiving central government funding at a funding assistance rate of 51%. Early works have commenced on all three projects, including the cutting down of 34 mature trees on Meola Road. If the projects are not advanced, there is a risk funding will be lost, to the detriment of all Aucklanders. AT’s own analysis is that investment in Auckland’s cycling and micromobility network has a BCR of 2-3, which is two to three times the return on investment for large-scale roading projects. On any view, the Inner West projects represent excellent value for money. Completing the projects promptly is the fiscally prudent course for AT to take.
A generation of children has completed primary school during the seven-year period in which the projects have been planned but not delivered. The extraordinary delays can fairly be described as predatory. There is no excuse nor any proper basis for AT to delay delivery of the projects any further.
All Aboard seeks AT’s urgent confirmation that tendering of the Inner West projects will immediately proceed, with main construction starting as early as possible in 2023. We also seek AT’s confirmation that it will continue to upgrade and expand the wider walking and cycling networks as required by the TERP.
We are available to meet if it would be helpful to discuss these issues further. We look forward to hearing from you.