Shore links from harbour crossing vital, board says

Picking a preferred harbour connection is not possible with the limited information available, says the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. But it wants transport planning for whatever tunnel or bridge option is chosen to ensure flow-on local connections are considered in tandem rather than as an afterthought.

Board chair Toni van Tonder said: “We want criteria to reach the greatest number of people.” East-west as well as north-south connections needed planning as did cycle paths. The harbour crossing could not be looked at in isolation.

The crossing was discussed by members at a workshop meeting to provide feedback to Auckland Council on Waka Kotahi’s five op- tions for the Waitemata Harbour connection. The council’s views will then be considered before a preferred crossing is announced mid-year.

Board member George Wood said: “all roads lead to the Akoranga station/interchange.

“A tunnel there is going to be a giant construction.”

Cycling across the Esmonde Rd interchange was already a nightmare, he said. Local integration from the connection needed to be sorted. “We need to ensure our people get a good deal,” Wood added.

Member Mel Powell said a lot of planning would be needed to have so much infrastruc- ture concentrated in the fragile wetland area.

The board rejected Option 2, a second bridge, saying it was not climate-change resilient, but could not pick a favourite.

Van Tonder said it wanted to see rail flow on to Takapuna and the Northern Busway, connecting to Sunnynook and Albany. Devonport peninsula links needed considering also. Deputy Terence Harpur called for lines to Glenfield and Greenhithe.

Member Peter Allen said it was vital to know what was next – “rather than have to wait 30 years”.

The Northern Pathway cycle path from Akoranga/Esmonde Rd should be rapidly progressed, the board said in its feedback.