Improving safety at Wairau Avenue and Canal Road intersection

Engagement Outcome

Thank you to everyone who reached out with questions and shared their insights for our planned safety improvements at this intersection.

The engagement for this project has finished. We are proceeding with some refinements to the original design that includes:

• Trimming vegetation near the intersection to improve visibility
• Installing no-parking signage on the berm within 100 metres of the intersection

What the community said about this project

• "Really supportive of this upgrade - I regularly cycle through this intersection and had a lot of near misses with cars running the stop signs...the new design looks great!"
• "Hallelujah. I have lived on Canal St for 20 years and had a number of near misses with people not stopping at the intersection. And just in time for the new 30 house townhouse development on the corner."
• "Really pleased to see some work to improve this intersection, it is long overdue..."

We received a small number of submissions from the community. These are summarized below, along with our responses:

• Request for a 'no berm parking zone' to reduce safety hazards

Our response

We are taking this into account as we move into the detailed design phase including installing no-parking signage on the berm within 100 metres of the intersection.

• Request for a strong intersection with good visibility

Our response

The planned roundabout is designed to slow vehicle speeds and clearly change the priority at the intersection to help improve safety for all road users. As part of the investigation and design process, we’ve carried out visibility assessments to ensure that all required sightline standards are met. The project will include clear and prominent signage to improve visibility and driver awareness.

• Concern that the nearby terrace housing development will increase parking demand and reduce visibility at the intersection

Our response

We will ensure the final design will consider terrace housing development at 52-56 Canal Road to maintain safe sightlines.

• Concern about vehicle tracking and clearance along Canal Road

Our response

We understand the concern about the width of Canal Road. The design is being tested using detailed vehicle tracking simulations to ensure larger vehicles, including emergency services, can safely navigate the roundabout without striking kerbs or pedestrian islands.

• Concern about potential delays at the roundabout

Our response

Although priority will change, there will still be opportunities to enter and circulate through the roundabout. Delays are expected to be minimal.

What happens next

• We are looking at installing these changes in August 2026.
• Any updates to the plan will be published on this webpage.
• We will be in touch with the local residents and businesses prior to any construction taking place.

About the project

As part of our Road Safety Programme, we are planning safety improvements at this intersection in Avondale to make journeys easier, safer and more reliable for people to get around.

The changes we’re making:

1. Install a new mountable roundabout.
2. Install new crossing islands at both sides of Canal Road near the intersection to provide a safer place to wait when crossing.
3. Upgrade pram crossings to make it easier for families and people with mobility needs to cross.
4. Install "no stopping at all times" (broken yellow lines) to maintain clear sightlines at the intersection.

Download copy of detailed design/drawing here

Benefits to your community

• Safer for everyone: A new roundabout and upgraded crossings will help slow vehicle speeds and make the intersection safer for all road users.
• Better traffic movement: The roundabout will help traffic flow more smoothly through the intersection.
• Community- friendly design: Safer crossing islands, improved pram crossings, and other upgrades will make it easier and more convenient for people to get around.