Improving traffic flow on Carlton Gore Road

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Engagement outcome

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback on our proposal to improve traffic flow on Carlton Gore Road at the Park Road intersection.

After reviewing the feedback received, we are proceeding with the clearway timing changes. These changes will help keep the left-turn lane clear during the busiest times of the day, making it easier for vehicles to turn left onto Park Road and helping traffic move more smoothly through this section of Carlton Gore Road. Most people who provided feedback supported the clearway. Those who supported the change said it would help reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and stop parked vehicles from blocking the left-turn lane into Park Road. There were also suggestions made that we have compiled below.

Parking for legacy scheme permit holders

Some residents asked us to extend the legacy parking area on George Street so that there are enough parking spaces for everyone that needs to park here overnight, so that the morning clearway operates effectively.

We have reviewed parking availability on George Street after 7pm and confirmed that spaces are available for legacy scheme permit holders during the evening.

If residents want to park overnight without needing to move their vehicle before the morning clearway begins, George Street remains an option. Parking will also still be available on Carlton Gore Road outside the clearway operating hours.

Review the cycleway on this road

Some submitters asked us to reassess the cycle lanes on Carlton Gore Road to see how often the cycle lanes are used and asked whether the space could be better used for traffic lanes or parking.

Carlton Gore Road is designated as a Regional Cycle Route under the Cycle and Micromobility Strategic Network. This road provides direct connections between Newmarket and Auckland City Hospital, Grafton Bridge and the city centre area, and offers a safer alternative to Khyber Pass Road for east-west cycling trips. Cycle monitoring data shows an average of 204 cycle trips per day on Carlton Gore Road (April 2026). More monthly cycle counts are available on AT’s Monthly cycle monitoring page.

Any future review of the cycle lane infrastructure would need to be considered as a separate project. This proposal is focused only on clearway timing changes to improve traffic flow at the Carlton Gore Road / Park Road intersection.

Request to extend clearway hours further

Some people suggested extending the hours further, such as operating the morning clearway until 10am and the afternoon clearway until 7pm.

The proposed clearway hours are based on congestion data showing the busiest periods are between 7am and 9am in the morning, and 3pm and 6pm in the afternoon. These hours aim to balance improving traffic flow during peak periods with retaining parking outside the times when the road is under the most pressure.

If the data shows that additional clearway hours are required once the morning clearway is in place, this is still an option we are open to exploring.

One-way issue at Park Avenue

One person raised concerns about drivers ignoring the one-way restriction at the Carlton Gore Road and Park Avenue intersection.

We have noted this feedback and will pass it on to the relevant team to look into this.

What happens next

We expect the signs to be installed and active by end of August 2026.

Background

Carlton Gore Road heading west currently has one traffic lane, with the remaining road space shared between paid parking and a separated cycleway.

Heading towards the Park Road intersection, the road includes a left-turn lane into Park Road plus a lane for going straight and turning right. This section carries around 885 vehicles in the morning peak and 1,839 in the afternoon peak. At busy times, queues build up and delays can be long, with traffic sometimes backing up past George Street.

In the morning peak, parked vehicles block access to the left turn lane. This forces left-turning drivers to queue in the straight and right-turn lane. As a result, some drivers do not get through the lights in time and have to wait for the next green signal, adding delays for everyone.

In the afternoon, congestion starts building from around 3pm, which means the current clearway does not cover the full peak period.

What improvements we are proposing

We are proposing to:

  • Introduce a morning clearway (7 – 9 am, Monday to Friday)
  • Extend the existing afternoon clearway by one hour on Carlton Gore Road (3 – 6 pm, instead of 4 – 6 pm, Monday to Friday), heading west towards Park Road.

The proposed clearway would apply between the intersection of Grandstand Road / George Street / Carlton Gore Road and Park Road / Carlton Gore Road.

Benefits to your journey

Moving people and goods efficiently through Auckland’s key roads is part of the Auckland Network Optimisation Programme, and a priority for Auckland Council. Clearways are a low‑cost and effective way to reduce congestion during busy periods.

Our current data shows that 459 and 1081 vehicles turn left from Carlton Gore Road onto Park Road between 7 - 9 am and 3 - 6 pm. The proposed new clearway times will help keep traffic moving by freeing up road space when it is needed most. This would especially benefit people turning left onto Park Road.

What this means for parking in the area

We are not proposing any changes to the road layout or the overall parking arrangement. Outside of the clearway operating hours, paid parking would remain available as it is today.

We would like to hear your thoughts

We would like to understand how this proposal will affect your journey, particularly if you live, work, or regularly travel through the area. Your feedback will help inform our next steps.


Email us your feedback on ATEngagement@at.govt.nz with “Carlton Gore Road Clearway” in the subject line by 05 June 2026.

Engagement outcome

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback on our proposal to improve traffic flow on Carlton Gore Road at the Park Road intersection.

After reviewing the feedback received, we are proceeding with the clearway timing changes. These changes will help keep the left-turn lane clear during the busiest times of the day, making it easier for vehicles to turn left onto Park Road and helping traffic move more smoothly through this section of Carlton Gore Road. Most people who provided feedback supported the clearway. Those who supported the change said it would help reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and stop parked vehicles from blocking the left-turn lane into Park Road. There were also suggestions made that we have compiled below.

Parking for legacy scheme permit holders

Some residents asked us to extend the legacy parking area on George Street so that there are enough parking spaces for everyone that needs to park here overnight, so that the morning clearway operates effectively.

We have reviewed parking availability on George Street after 7pm and confirmed that spaces are available for legacy scheme permit holders during the evening.

If residents want to park overnight without needing to move their vehicle before the morning clearway begins, George Street remains an option. Parking will also still be available on Carlton Gore Road outside the clearway operating hours.

Review the cycleway on this road

Some submitters asked us to reassess the cycle lanes on Carlton Gore Road to see how often the cycle lanes are used and asked whether the space could be better used for traffic lanes or parking.

Carlton Gore Road is designated as a Regional Cycle Route under the Cycle and Micromobility Strategic Network. This road provides direct connections between Newmarket and Auckland City Hospital, Grafton Bridge and the city centre area, and offers a safer alternative to Khyber Pass Road for east-west cycling trips. Cycle monitoring data shows an average of 204 cycle trips per day on Carlton Gore Road (April 2026). More monthly cycle counts are available on AT’s Monthly cycle monitoring page.

Any future review of the cycle lane infrastructure would need to be considered as a separate project. This proposal is focused only on clearway timing changes to improve traffic flow at the Carlton Gore Road / Park Road intersection.

Request to extend clearway hours further

Some people suggested extending the hours further, such as operating the morning clearway until 10am and the afternoon clearway until 7pm.

The proposed clearway hours are based on congestion data showing the busiest periods are between 7am and 9am in the morning, and 3pm and 6pm in the afternoon. These hours aim to balance improving traffic flow during peak periods with retaining parking outside the times when the road is under the most pressure.

If the data shows that additional clearway hours are required once the morning clearway is in place, this is still an option we are open to exploring.

One-way issue at Park Avenue

One person raised concerns about drivers ignoring the one-way restriction at the Carlton Gore Road and Park Avenue intersection.

We have noted this feedback and will pass it on to the relevant team to look into this.

What happens next

We expect the signs to be installed and active by end of August 2026.

Background

Carlton Gore Road heading west currently has one traffic lane, with the remaining road space shared between paid parking and a separated cycleway.

Heading towards the Park Road intersection, the road includes a left-turn lane into Park Road plus a lane for going straight and turning right. This section carries around 885 vehicles in the morning peak and 1,839 in the afternoon peak. At busy times, queues build up and delays can be long, with traffic sometimes backing up past George Street.

In the morning peak, parked vehicles block access to the left turn lane. This forces left-turning drivers to queue in the straight and right-turn lane. As a result, some drivers do not get through the lights in time and have to wait for the next green signal, adding delays for everyone.

In the afternoon, congestion starts building from around 3pm, which means the current clearway does not cover the full peak period.

What improvements we are proposing

We are proposing to:

  • Introduce a morning clearway (7 – 9 am, Monday to Friday)
  • Extend the existing afternoon clearway by one hour on Carlton Gore Road (3 – 6 pm, instead of 4 – 6 pm, Monday to Friday), heading west towards Park Road.

The proposed clearway would apply between the intersection of Grandstand Road / George Street / Carlton Gore Road and Park Road / Carlton Gore Road.

Benefits to your journey

Moving people and goods efficiently through Auckland’s key roads is part of the Auckland Network Optimisation Programme, and a priority for Auckland Council. Clearways are a low‑cost and effective way to reduce congestion during busy periods.

Our current data shows that 459 and 1081 vehicles turn left from Carlton Gore Road onto Park Road between 7 - 9 am and 3 - 6 pm. The proposed new clearway times will help keep traffic moving by freeing up road space when it is needed most. This would especially benefit people turning left onto Park Road.

What this means for parking in the area

We are not proposing any changes to the road layout or the overall parking arrangement. Outside of the clearway operating hours, paid parking would remain available as it is today.

We would like to hear your thoughts

We would like to understand how this proposal will affect your journey, particularly if you live, work, or regularly travel through the area. Your feedback will help inform our next steps.


Email us your feedback on ATEngagement@at.govt.nz with “Carlton Gore Road Clearway” in the subject line by 05 June 2026.

Page last updated: 03 Aug 2026, 01:40 PM