Better connections into Blockhouse Bay village

Project update

We’re improving crossing safety and bus accessibility near Craigavon and Sister Rene Shadbolt Parks.

In 2024, we shared designs on new bus facilities and crossings along Kinross Street & Blockhouse Bay Village.

We’ll start installing these changes in early 2026 and want to share the new crossing design near the parks.

"Updated Site Designs - July 2025" has been added to this website in the Key documents section. This includes minor kerb buildouts, finalised crossing designs and road markings for construction.

The new design will help support buses on the local 253 and 25B bus routes, improving accessibility to public transport for locals along Kinross Street.

The changes we’re making in early 2026

• Install new bus stops outside:
  • 85, 87 & 87B Kinross Street.
  • 70 Kinross Street.
  • 4 Kinross Street.
  • Church of the Saviour on Kinross Street (with a new bus stop shelter).
  • Craigavon Park (northside on Kinross Street)
• A new crossing outside 72 and 73 Kinross Street.
• A new footpath extension outside 87A Kinross Street.
• A new crossing outside 82 and 91 Kinross Street, to connect to the existing footpath on Connell Street.
• A new zebra crossing which connects the northern and southern paths between Craigavon and Shadbolt Park.
• A new footpath connection to the new zebra crossing outside Craigavon Park.
• Three new bus break stops near Sister Rene Shadbolt Skate Bowl, and one adjacent to Shadbolt Park on the southern side of Kinross Street.
• Intersection improvements and a new crossing on Endeavour Street.
• 12 small traffic islands along Kinross Street to protect trees from tall vehicles and double-decker buses.
• We will need to prune trees along Kinross Street to improve access for large vehicles.
• We will need to clear access and improve visibility on approaches to crossings by reallocating road space and removing some parking spaces. This will also ensure that bus users can get on and off buses safely and comfortably and allow larger vehicles to navigate local streets safely.

Location of the new zebra crossing between Craigavon and Shadbolt Park

What happens next

Any change to the plan will be updated on this page. Confirmed construction dates will be updated on this website.

We will be in touch with the local residents and businesses prior to any construction taking place.

How to contact us

If you’d like to speak to someone about our plans, please email us on ATengagement@at.govt.nz(External link) by 7 September 2025. Feel free to share your local insights on the crossing or if there's anything we missed, by clicking our comment box below.

About the project

In December 2023, we asked you about initial designs for better and safer bus connections in Blockhouse Bay village. More information on that can be found here

This included plans to upgrade a crossing, install a speed hump, and move bus stops and bus break stops.

We received 152 submissions from individuals, local businesses, and community groups. Most submissions told us they had concerns about the proposal, particularly about the proposed bus break stops (bus layover area). 68% of submissions shared concerns about the proposal, 21% told us about a benefit of the proposal, and 41% provided suggestions to improve the proposal.

Our survey asked how the changes would impact the community. 55% of survey takers said the changes would not benefit Blockhouse Bay.

We’ve listened to your feedback and would like to share our new designs reflecting community sentiment, including relocating the bus break stops down Kinross Street, at the Portage Road roundabout.

Upgrades on Kinross Street include relocating bus break stops to Shadbolt Park, with new crossings along Kinross Street with new tactile pavers, footpath buildouts and new bus stops for improved convenience and accessibility for Kinross Street residents.

The changes we're making

• New route: We’re improving safety and accessibility on Kinross Street for the 253 and 25B bus services.
  
• New bus break stops for 25B/253 bus drivers:

- 3 on the south of Shadbolt Park, east of the Portage Road / Kinross Street roundabout. This will be where 25B and 253 buses start their citybound services from Blockhouse Bay.

- 1 on the south side of Kinross Street, east of the roundabout, where 25B and 253 buses will terminate at Blockhouse Bay.

The bus break stops will require about twelve parking spaces for bus parking. This includes new no-stopping-at-all-time zones (broken yellow lines) to clear access for bus manoeuvring near the roundabout.

• 2 New village centre bus stops

- West of Blockhouse Bay Roundabout (near 2 Heaphy Street).

There are no car park removals on the southern side for outbound city buses to stop. For the northern side city-inbound bus stop (near the church), five car park spaces will need to be reallocated for the new bus stop.

• Adjacent stops at 70/85 Kinross Street with a crossing

- Install a new outbound bus stop outside 70 Kinross Street on the southern side. A new inbound stop outside 85 Kinross Street on the northern side.

- A safe crossing point is proposed between 72 and 73 Kinross Street (see the designs on this webpage).

• New crossings:

- Install a new road-level crossing area outside 91 Kinross Street, west of Connell Street, for people on foot to cross the road safely.

- This will reallocate road space with a new footpath buildout and marking new no stopping at all times zones (broken yellow lines) painted on both sides of the crossing to improve visibility for people on foot at the crossing, reallocating up to eight parking spaces nearby.

• Tree management: Due to the height of the buses that service 25B and 253, trees along Kinross Street will require regular pruning, removal or relocation where required. New footpath buildouts and tree trimming could be required for tree overhangs delivered with these proposed changes.
• New public toilet for bus drivers: Install a new two toilet unit at the corner of Kinross Street and Portage Road (funding dependent). This is for driver relief at terminating services, which could require additional infrastructure such as lighting to improve safety near the bus break stops.
• Footpath improvements: Reconstructing the footpath and installing tactile pavers for crossing entries along Kinross Street.
• Safety Improvements: Due to budget constraints and relocating the bus break stops away from the village centre, the previously proposed safety improvements of a raised crossing and speed hump at Blockhouse Bay Road & Gilfillan Street intersection are on hold.

Benefits to your community

• Expanded Access: New bus routes serve more areas, reducing cars and emissions.
• Less Congestion: Removing village bus break stops eases traffic at key intersections.
• Safer Streets: Eliminating risky bus turns and adding new crossings on Kinross Street.
• Efficient Space Use: Relocated bus stops minimise parking loss near the village.
• Improved Access: New stops enhance public transport convenience for locals.
• Better Amenities: Reliable service with break stops near facilities like public toilets for drivers and passengers.

How you can share your thoughts

Our online feedback form below will help you share your thoughts on the new design. If you’d like to speak to someone about our plans, please email us on ATengagement@at.govt.nz(External link) by 7 September 2025.

How to contact us

We want to thank everyone who participated in the 2024 consultation for their feedback. Please see the "Consultation Feedback Report" on this page for more engagement details.