Improving crossing safety outside Torbay School
Engagement Completed
Thank you to everyone who reached out with questions and shared their insights. The engagement for this project has finished.
We have received a small number of comments and insights from the community. We've summarised the concerns raised and responded to them below:
Traffic control requests
- Request to install traffic lights to stop serious injury incidents – 4 mentions
Our response
Because this project is funded through the Local Board Transport Capital Fund, upgrades must be prioritised based on need. Pedestrian numbers here are very low outside school peak times, and under AT’s criteria, a signalised crossing is not justified. The planned design instead focuses on improving driver awareness and reducing speeds while retaining a zebra crossing appropriate for overall pedestrian use.
- Suggestion to install a raised crossing to slow traffic down
Our response
A raised crossing was considered but did not progress. Raised treatments cost more, can create noise and vibration for nearby homes, and need extra space on a bus route, which could lead to more parking loss. For these reasons, a raised crossing isn’t recommended at this location.
- Suggestion to install a raised median to stop cars turning right from parking bay
Our response
A left‑turn‑only marking and sign are already in place to discourage right turns from the parking bay. Installing a raised median isn’t practical because the two nearby bus stops would make the road too narrow and create a pinch point for larger vehicles. This suggestion is outside the scope of the current crossing upgrade, but the area will continue to be monitored.
- Suggestion to install rumble strips to alert drivers about the crossing
Our response
We did look at other options like rumble strips and extra signs during the design process. However, using a crossing island to physically narrow and shift the road is a more effective and suitable way to influence driver behaviour and slow vehicles down at this location.
- Request to install flat crossing at Deep Creek Reserve for children’s safety
Our response
Thank you for your suggestion to install a flat crossing at Deep Creek Reserve to improve safety for children. While this location is outside the current project scope, we recognise its importance and will raise a CRM case so it can be considered for future improvements.
Speed and road safety concerns
- Request to reduce speed limit in the area to help keep school children safe
Our response
The new crossing island narrows the lanes and adds a small bend in the road, which makes drivers slow down as they approach the crossing. During school pick‑up and drop‑off times, speeds are also naturally lower because of the extra activity and traffic in the area.
- Concern that narrowing the road through the crossing will make it more dangerous for people using the footpath
Our response
The crossing island and lane widths have been designed to meet safety standards and ensure vehicles stay safely separated from people on the footpath. The footpath areas will also be upgraded to give pedestrians enough space to wait before crossing. These changes are intended to slow drivers and improve safety without bringing vehicles closer to pedestrians.
- Concern that installing a central refuge will give children false sense of security when crossing the road
Our response
Crossing islands are a proven safety feature that shorten the crossing and let people cross one direction of traffic at a time. The design keeps sightlines clear and is expected to slow drivers and improve awareness, reducing risk rather than creating it.
Visibility and safety
- Request to install more BYLs around the current crossing to address visibility issues – 2 mentions
Our response
New broken yellow lines will be added around the crossing to ensure clear visibility for both drivers and pedestrians. This approach improves safety while keeping as much parking as possible for residents and families during busy school times.
- Request to extend BYLs west from the crossing to maximise visibility from the bus stop along Deep Creek Rd
Our response
Broken yellow lines are planned only where needed to maintain clear visibility of the crossing from all approaches, including the bus stop. Their length reflects the minimum required to ensure the crossing operates safely.
- Request for BYLs outside 61 and 63 Deep Creek Road to improve access
Our response
We have forwarded this issue to the appropriate team by raising a CRM case.
Parking and drop-off issues
- Request to address issues at the drop‑off bay where cars often queue – 3 mentions
Our response
This project focuses on improving safety at the crossing itself, so wider school parking and drop‑off issues sit outside its scope. However, the concerns about queueing and congestion have been noted and will be passed on for consideration in future school travel and parking reviews.
- Concern over parking, visibility, and access issues for residents due to parents blocking driveways
Our response
Broken yellow lines are only proposed where needed to keep visibility clear and ensure the crossing operates safely. If a vehicle is parked within 1 metre of a driveway or is blocking visibility, please report it to Auckland Transport so Parking Officers can investigate and take enforcement action if required.
- Suggestion to increase drop‑off and pickup areas for parents
Our response
Expanding school drop‑off and pick‑up areas is outside the scope of the current crossing upgrade. Your insight has been noted and may be considered in future school travel planning or parking reviews.
- Concern about the number of parking losses
Our response
We understand that losing on‑street parking can be inconvenient. Parking has only been removed where necessary to keep lane widths safe, maintain visibility, and allow vehicles to move safely around the crossing island. The design has been refined to minimise parking loss, and the broken yellow lines cannot be removed without compromising safety.
- Suggestion to add more BYLs at the top of Bethel Rd to address visibility and parking issues
Our response
This location is outside the scope of the current upgrade, but your concerns about visibility at the top of Bethel Road have been noted and will be passed on for future assessment.
What happens next
- A final decision about the plan will be made by the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board and will be announced on this page soon.
- Any change related 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.
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About the project
We’re responding to concerns raised by Torbay School and the community about the need for safer crossing facilities along Deep Creek Road in Waiake.
Deep Creek Road can be very busy before and after school, with lots of cars during drop off and pick up times, and students and families walking, scootering or biking. This creates challenges and safety risks when crossing.
Thanks to the Hibiscus and Bays Transport Capital Fund, we’ll upgrade the crossing outside the school to make it safer for everyone, especially our tamariki.
The changes we’re making by May 2026
- Upgrade the existing zebra crossing with a central crossing island and a traffic island on the north side. These islands will create a gentle curve in the road, encouraging drivers to slow down, while giving the people crossing a safer place to wait to cross.
- Reinstate “stay put” school patrol poles and signage at the crossing so drivers know they’re near a school and need to slow down.
- Upgrade the pram ramps with tactile pavers on both ends of the crossing. These are yellow guidance markers at the crossing points to help vision impaired people safely cross the road.
- Install new signs and road markings so drivers know they are approaching a crossing and need to slow down.
- Install new street light poles so people crossing are easier for motorists to see, especially at night
- Rebuild footpaths on both sides of the crossing to provide more room and a safe area to wait before crossing the road
- Re-allocate road space by removing 4 parking spaces along Deep Creek Road to clear access and maintain visibility near the crossing.
Benefits to your community
- Makes it safer and easier for children, their parents and caregivers, people with different accessibility needs to cross safely
- Gives families more confidence to let their children walk, scoot or bike to school, fostering their independence
- Protects students walking to and from school by slowing down traffic and making drivers more aware that they need to slow down near schools
- New road markings and signs clarify right of way, improve safety by minimising risk of collisions, and ensures compliance with traffic regulations
How to contact us
If you'd like to speak to someone about our plans, please email us at ATengagement@at.govt.nz
