Improving traffic flow on Saleyards Road and Walmsley Road
Background
Saleyards Road
Saleyards Road is an important main road with over 16,000 vehicles using it each day including many heavy freight vehicles. During busy hours of the day, it gets congested with queues often stretching past Railway Lane.
There’s a short section east of Railway Lane where people can park all day long, with no time limits or restrictions. During morning and afternoon peaks, cars parked cars between 34 - 48 Saleyards Road add to the congestion by reducing road capacity.
Walmsley Road
Most of Walmsley Road already has no stopping at all times restrictions in place.
Engagement outcome
Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback on our proposed traffic improvements for Saleyards Road and Walmsley Road.
Overall, feedback showed support for the proposed changes with many respondents agreeing that improvements are needed to manage congestion and keep people and freight moving efficiently through these busy roads.
Following feedback and further review, we have decided to proceed with a few minor changes:
- The weekday (Mon - Fri) morning (7 - 9 am) and afternoon (3 - 6 pm) clearway on Saleyards Road will now extend further north starting from 32 - 44 Saleyards Road (previously 34 - 44 Saleyards Road).
The extent of broken yellow lines between 20 Walmsley Road to just past the intersection of Walmsley Road and Marjorie Jane Crescent as well as the road layout changes on Saleyards Road which includes two lanes between 34 - 48 Saleyards Road will remain as it is.
What we heard
While most people who responded supported the changes, we also received suggestions to make it better for everyone who uses it everyday.
Request to extend restrictions near Railway Lane
Some respondents suggested extending parking restrictions further west along Saleyards Road near Railway Lane. Feedback highlighted that large freight vehicles can experience difficulties accessing Railway Lane when vehicles are parked nearby, particularly during busy periods.
Concerns about parking impacts on businesses
One business owner expressed concern that reducing parking outside their property could affect day-to-day business operations and customer access.
Suggestion to look at traffic lights operation
One submitter suggested that we review the operation and phasing of nearby traffic signals to help traffic move more smoothly and consistently through the corridor. They noted that traffic conditions can sometimes be affected by vehicle queues associated with surrounding intersections and considered signal optimisation an opportunity to further improve corridor performance.
Our responses
Supporting traffic flow and freight access
Saleyards Road and Walmsley Road are important local freight routes that experience congestion during rush hours. The proposed clearways and parking changes are intended to keep traffic moving and improve reliability for people and goods travelling through the area. We consider clearways to be an effective way to make better use of existing road space during the busiest times of the day.
Parking and business access
We understand on-street parking is important for businesses and visitors. However, we also need to keep people and goods moving efficiently during the busiest hours of the day.
The proposed clearway on Saleyards Road would operate only during weekday (Mon – Fri) rush hours from 7am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm. Outside these hours and on weekends, parking would remain available. The changes would also improve visibility and make it easier for vehicles to enter and leave nearby driveways.
Traffic lights operation
We will review the traffic light operations as suggested to improve traffic flow.
What happens next
We anticipate these changes will be constructed by end of June 2027.
How these changes can improve your journey
Moving people and goods efficiently through Auckland’s key roads is part of the Auckland Network Optimisation Programme, and a priority for Auckland Council. Clearways are a low‑cost and effective way to reduce congestion during busy periods.
At this location, clearways would help keep traffic moving by freeing up road space when it is needed most. This would especially benefit freight allowing them to travel through this section quicker.
The addition lane on Saleyards Road creates more space on the road to travel on and help ease this pinch point.
By managing congestion, the proposed changes would also help improve travel time reliability for drivers and bus passengers travelling through the area.
What this means for parking in the area
On Saleyards Road, outside of the clearway operating hours, parking will be available.
