Improving crossing accessibility on Rimu Street, near Helensville Primary School

About the Project

We’re responding to requests by the school and community to improve accessibility and safety when crossing the road near the back entrance to Helensvillle Primary School on Rimu Street.

The back entrance on Rimu Street is busy at drop-off and pick-up times, with children, caregivers, buses, and cars all using the street. Outside of school hours, Rimu Street is more of a local residential road, but still gets through traffic connecting to Garfield Road and Commercial Road.

There is currently no formal crossing which can make it hard for tamariki, the elderly, and people with prams or mobility needs to cross the road here.

Thanks to the Rodney Local Board Transport Capital Fund, we’re improving the crossing points on either side of the footpath on Rimu Street, to ensure safety and accessibility for everyone.

The changes we’re making by February 2026

• Installing a new pram ramp with a side safety islands on either side
• New tactile pavers (yellow guidance markers) at the crossing points to help visually impaired people cross safely.
• Upgrading and widening the footpaths on either side of the crossing to provide more space for people to wait safely before crossing
• Installing new pram crossings to make it safer and more convenient for people pushing prams or strollers, and to assist those with mobility needs.
• New no parking on the berms (No Stopping Off Roadway) signs near these improvements. These signs will remind drivers they cannot park on the grass berms, and these areas will be subject to parking enforcement. Vehicles parked illegally may receive infringement notices or be towed away.
• Paint no stopping at all times lines (broken yellow lines) on all approaches to the crossing points on Rimu Street and at the corner of the exit of the Makiri and Rimu Streets intersection, outside 17 Rimu Street.
• To clear access and improve visibility, we need to reallocate road space and remove 12 carparks for these changes

You can download the drawing of where the changes will be taking place on the right-side panel of this webpage.

Benefits to your community

• Ensures everyone in the community can move around the neighbourhood safely, offering better connections to schools, parks, public transport, and other local amenities.
• Cars parked on berms present a danger to people on foot as these cars obstruct them from view and they can’t be seen crossing roads or walking.

• Walking is good for the environment and good for your health. It helps reduce reliance on cars for local trips, decreasing traffic congestion and reducing our carbon emissions
• New road markings and signs clarify right of way, improve safety by minimising the risk of collisions, and ensure compliance with traffic regulations.

What happens next

• We will install these changes by February 2026.
• Any change to the plan will be updated on this page.
• 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 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 20 October 2025.