FAQs

We are seeking feedback on:

• Why do you travel through the area
• How and how often do you travel through the area
• Do you support making the unpaved section of The Esplanade active modes only? (walking, cycling, riding horses etc.)
• How would closing the unpaved section of The Esplanade to vehicles impact you
• If the unpaved section of The Esplanade was closed to vehicular traffic, would it encourage you to use active modes here more often

We will record and pass on all feedback received to the appropriate teams. However, due to the limited budget and scope, we're unlikely to take onboard the following as part of this project.

• Transport issues outside of the barrier arm installation, such as resealing works
• Transport issues outside the scope of the project
• Traffic, streetscape, or broader Waiheke projects.

A section of The Esplanade between Lannan Road and Kiwi Street was closed on a trial basis to vehicular traffic in 2010 and 2011. 

The road was initially closed to general traffic for a one-year trial.

This was primarily in response to NZ Police concerns regarding the number of vehicle crashes that were occurring along this stretch of unsealed road.

Secondly there were perceptions that the road was unsafe for vulnerable road users (such as pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders) due to speeding vehicles and the lack of dedicated footpaths or cycle lanes. 

In 2010 Auckland Council sought public feedback on two projects:

• Whether The Esplanade between Blackpool and Surfdale should be closed to motor vehicles (except for emergencies)
• whether the speed limit should be reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h on parts of Ostend Road (between Erua and O'Brien roads) and Onetangi Road (between O'Brien and Waiata roads).

The key finding from the 2010 consultation that is relevant to this consultation was that 53% of respondents want The Esplanade closed to motor vehicles, and 47% want it to remain open.

During 2011, the road and seawall suffered damage during storms and AT could not safely reopen the road as intended, and the closure was extended. 

In 2012, AT discussed a range of options with the local board for the future of the road, with AT’s preferred option being to reopen the road to two-way traffic but as a low-speed physical environment with supporting traffic calming measures to reduce both traffic volumes and vehicle speeds.

In 2013, following extensive repairs to the road and adjacent seawall, the road was reopened to vehicular traffic.