Improving traffic flow on Carlton Gore Road
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.