More time for public feedback on Mill Road upgrade

The period for feedback on plans to upgrade Mill and Redoubt roads is being extended for another month.

The council will also hold another public meeting to discuss the Mill/Redoubt improvements. This will be held on Wednesday 29 October at the Rainbows End conference room on Wiri Station Road. People can view plans from 6pm and the meeting will begin at 7.30pm.

Upgrading the Mill/Redoubt corridor is necessary to cope with a predicted doubling in traffic within the next 20 years. Traffic flows along each of the roads is expected to increase from about 11,000 to 24,000 vehicles a day as growth occurs in Flat Bush, Takanini and Papakura.

The upgrade is also necessary to improve road safety. Between 2002-06 there were 179 recorded crashes, which included 47 injuries and two deaths.

Three options have been proposed for the Mill Road/Redoubt Road section of the corridor and two options for the Murphys Road section. Options have also been developed to show the intersection of Murphys Road and Redoubt Road with traffic lights or with overbridges so traffic doesn’t have to stop.

Manukau City Council Transport Portfolio Leader David Collings says a large number of submissions have been received however the council wants to give people more time to have their say.

“Some people who may be affected by the project have asked for more time, so we have extended the feedback period until 7 November.

“I also want to reassure people that this is just the beginning of the process and the council will continue to ask for feedback from people in the area to help shape plans.

“Work on the upgraded road isn’t likely to begin for a number of years, what we are doing now is identifying the preferred route. Even after the route is identified there will be a number of opportunities for people to have their say.

“Traffic flows are going to double so the road needs to be upgraded to cope with that and also to make sure it is safe. Unless there are major improvements we are likely to see an increase in crashes along Mill and Redoubt roads,” Cr Collings says.

Consultation so far on the Mill/Redoubt Road upgrade proposal has included a mail drop to all affected properties, two public meetings and the opportunity to discuss the proposals in detail with council officers.