Improving Crossing Safety outside Wentworth Primary

Share Improving Crossing Safety outside Wentworth Primary on Facebook Share Improving Crossing Safety outside Wentworth Primary on Twitter Share Improving Crossing Safety outside Wentworth Primary on Linkedin Email Improving Crossing Safety outside Wentworth Primary link

Engagement outcome

Thank you to everyone who reached out to us to ask questions and provide their insights, about the planned changes to improve safety at the current crossing island outside Wentworth Primary School on Gulf Harbour Drive.

After careful consideration, we are proceeding with the project as planned.

Raw comments from the community

  • “I fully support the improvements you are planning to make.”
  • "I have no problems with the crossing; I use it every day to cross!"
  • "I support a safer crossing but wonder if a standard pedestrian crossing would suffice.”
  • “I completely support the installation of safer crossings for our children.”
  • “I believe installing traffic lights in front of Wentworth College is excessive.”
  • “Traffic lights are not needed for the intended crossing.”
  • “Please introduce new pedestrian crossing nearby Wentworth and GHS. No light required, just two crossings.”

Below is the summary of the insights and comments we received and our response to them:

Traffic Signal

Community have raised an interest into the signalisation of the crossing.

Our response

A zebra crossing was considered early in the design process. However, vehicle speeds on this busy arterial road are higher than what is considered safe for a zebra crossing. To meet safety standards, a raised platform would have been needed to slow traffic and improve visibility. This option was not progressed because vertical speed calming on arterial roads does not align with current standards and could create stormwater issues.

Instead, a signalised crossing is proposed. This option meets sightline requirements without the need for raised infrastructure, minimises traffic disruption, and avoids stormwater risks. To further enhance safety, advanced warning signs and high-friction surfacing will be installed to alert drivers to the crossing.


Crossing options – Pedestrian Crossing and more Signage

Support the implementation of some safety measures. A standard zebra crossing would be supported.

Our response

A zebra crossing was intially investigated during the early stages of the design.

As the current speeds of the vehicles approaching this crossing are above what we would consider "Safe System", a raised table element was included (as part of the zebra crossing) to provide the sufficient speed reduction to align with this best practice.

Moreover, without the addition of this speed reduction visibility sightlines for a zebra crossing would be difficult to meet. However, with the road being a busy arterial (vertical speed calming on arterial roads does not align with current standards) and issues with mitigating potential stormwater impacts this option was not progressed.

The proposed option of a signalised crossing is more appropriate in this scenario as signalised crossing sightline requirements can be met without vertical speed calming measures (raised table), which means there will be minimal impact on traffic flow and the stormwater risk is eliminated. As per the above theme, to further enhance safety, advanced warning signs and high-friction surfacing will be installed to alert drivers to the crossing.

Gulf Harbour School Crossing

Investigation is needed into the safety measures around Guld Harbour School (Back Entrance). Concerns around pedestrian safety.

Our response

A separate project currently in the design stage is addressing pedestrian safety at this location. The local community will also be engaged on this project once it has been finalised.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Engagement closed

The engagement for this project has now closed and we will inform the community about the engagement outcome soon.

About this project

We're improving safety at the current crossing island outside Wentworth Primary School on Gulf Harbour Drive.

Growing communities means busier roads – so we need to improve crossing facilities and make travelling locally safer for everyone!

The upgraded crossing facility will prioritise people crossing, especially our tamariki, school whānau & local community

The changes we’re making:

  • Upgrading the existing crossing island outside Wentworth Primary School to a traffic light-controlled crossing. Creating a safer environment for everyone - especially children walking to and from Wentworth Primary School
  • Install new traffic signals and high friction road surfacing to slow down vehicles approaching the crossing.
  • Footpath upgrades to the footpaths on either side of the crossing allowing more room to wait to cross.
  • Upgrading the footpaths and pram crossing on either side of the crossing allowing more room to wait and a smooth, accessible path to the crossing for people using wheels.
  • Upgrading tactile pavers which are yellow guidance paving markers to help vision impaired people cross the road.
  • Painting new road markings and installing signs associated with the upgraded crossing so motorists know to slow on approach and to give priority to people crossing the road here.

Benefits for your community:

  • Easier for everyone – Makes it safer and easier for children, their parents and caregivers, people with different accessibility needs to cross safely.
  • Improves your health and wellbeing to enjoy the outdoors. It offers better access to nearby, parks, schools, public transport and other local amenities.
  • Supports community connections – Shows a commitment to the safety of the entire school community and nearby residents.

  • Keep our tamariki safe – Protects students walking to and from school by slowing down traffic and making drivers more aware that they need to slow down near schools.

What happens next

We will install these changes in 2026.

Any changes to the designs will be updated on this page.

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

How to contact us

If you’d like to discuss our plans, share what you know about your area or let us know if there’s anything we’ve missed, email us at ATEngagement@at.govt.nz or leave us a comment on our website by 22 September 2025.

Engagement outcome

Thank you to everyone who reached out to us to ask questions and provide their insights, about the planned changes to improve safety at the current crossing island outside Wentworth Primary School on Gulf Harbour Drive.

After careful consideration, we are proceeding with the project as planned.

Raw comments from the community

  • “I fully support the improvements you are planning to make.”
  • "I have no problems with the crossing; I use it every day to cross!"
  • "I support a safer crossing but wonder if a standard pedestrian crossing would suffice.”
  • “I completely support the installation of safer crossings for our children.”
  • “I believe installing traffic lights in front of Wentworth College is excessive.”
  • “Traffic lights are not needed for the intended crossing.”
  • “Please introduce new pedestrian crossing nearby Wentworth and GHS. No light required, just two crossings.”

Below is the summary of the insights and comments we received and our response to them:

Traffic Signal

Community have raised an interest into the signalisation of the crossing.

Our response

A zebra crossing was considered early in the design process. However, vehicle speeds on this busy arterial road are higher than what is considered safe for a zebra crossing. To meet safety standards, a raised platform would have been needed to slow traffic and improve visibility. This option was not progressed because vertical speed calming on arterial roads does not align with current standards and could create stormwater issues.

Instead, a signalised crossing is proposed. This option meets sightline requirements without the need for raised infrastructure, minimises traffic disruption, and avoids stormwater risks. To further enhance safety, advanced warning signs and high-friction surfacing will be installed to alert drivers to the crossing.


Crossing options – Pedestrian Crossing and more Signage

Support the implementation of some safety measures. A standard zebra crossing would be supported.

Our response

A zebra crossing was intially investigated during the early stages of the design.

As the current speeds of the vehicles approaching this crossing are above what we would consider "Safe System", a raised table element was included (as part of the zebra crossing) to provide the sufficient speed reduction to align with this best practice.

Moreover, without the addition of this speed reduction visibility sightlines for a zebra crossing would be difficult to meet. However, with the road being a busy arterial (vertical speed calming on arterial roads does not align with current standards) and issues with mitigating potential stormwater impacts this option was not progressed.

The proposed option of a signalised crossing is more appropriate in this scenario as signalised crossing sightline requirements can be met without vertical speed calming measures (raised table), which means there will be minimal impact on traffic flow and the stormwater risk is eliminated. As per the above theme, to further enhance safety, advanced warning signs and high-friction surfacing will be installed to alert drivers to the crossing.

Gulf Harbour School Crossing

Investigation is needed into the safety measures around Guld Harbour School (Back Entrance). Concerns around pedestrian safety.

Our response

A separate project currently in the design stage is addressing pedestrian safety at this location. The local community will also be engaged on this project once it has been finalised.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Engagement closed

The engagement for this project has now closed and we will inform the community about the engagement outcome soon.

About this project

We're improving safety at the current crossing island outside Wentworth Primary School on Gulf Harbour Drive.

Growing communities means busier roads – so we need to improve crossing facilities and make travelling locally safer for everyone!

The upgraded crossing facility will prioritise people crossing, especially our tamariki, school whānau & local community

The changes we’re making:

  • Upgrading the existing crossing island outside Wentworth Primary School to a traffic light-controlled crossing. Creating a safer environment for everyone - especially children walking to and from Wentworth Primary School
  • Install new traffic signals and high friction road surfacing to slow down vehicles approaching the crossing.
  • Footpath upgrades to the footpaths on either side of the crossing allowing more room to wait to cross.
  • Upgrading the footpaths and pram crossing on either side of the crossing allowing more room to wait and a smooth, accessible path to the crossing for people using wheels.
  • Upgrading tactile pavers which are yellow guidance paving markers to help vision impaired people cross the road.
  • Painting new road markings and installing signs associated with the upgraded crossing so motorists know to slow on approach and to give priority to people crossing the road here.

Benefits for your community:

  • Easier for everyone – Makes it safer and easier for children, their parents and caregivers, people with different accessibility needs to cross safely.
  • Improves your health and wellbeing to enjoy the outdoors. It offers better access to nearby, parks, schools, public transport and other local amenities.
  • Supports community connections – Shows a commitment to the safety of the entire school community and nearby residents.

  • Keep our tamariki safe – Protects students walking to and from school by slowing down traffic and making drivers more aware that they need to slow down near schools.

What happens next

We will install these changes in 2026.

Any changes to the designs will be updated on this page.

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

How to contact us

If you’d like to discuss our plans, share what you know about your area or let us know if there’s anything we’ve missed, email us at ATEngagement@at.govt.nz or leave us a comment on our website by 22 September 2025.

Page last updated: 16 Dec 2025, 10:40 AM