MORE FERRIES, BETTER MOTORWAY ACCESS? BRING IT ON…

Do you want more ferries – and the ramps to and from the motorway at Squadron Drive completed?  We bet you’re saying yes!  Right now you can tell Auckland Transport how you feel about these two matters, which affect all Hobsonville Point residents.

Why now? Because the Regional Land Transport Plan is currently open for public consultation and closes on May 2 – just over a week away. The plan outlines Auckland’s transport projects and funding for the next 10 years. If projects you want to happen aren’t in this plan, they won’t happen!

Two proposals impact us and we urge you all to submit on both of them

See details below on how easy it is to do that. A big response from us can make our thousands of voices heard. 

  1. Hobsonville ferries 

We understand there is insufficient funding in the plan for growing Auckland’s ferry services – just $30m over the decade. This is largely confined to an electric ferry trial involving one ferry. There is an amount set aside for the fleet replacement but it’s not clear how many vessels will be replaced and how quickly. What is clear, however, is there will only be funding for ‘minor’ changes to ferry services

This means few if any additions will be made to sailing times – FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS!

Suggested submission points:

  • The investment in Auckland’s ferry services in the transport plan is inadequate
  • There needs to be additional funding for improving services (timetables) as the population continues to grow, especially at Hobsonville Point.
  • The Hobsonville service needs more inter-peak sailings and the replacement of the existing fleet to ensure service reliability and standards.

If you have personal views or experiences to back up these points, do include them

FAST AND EASY SUBMISSION METHOD – send AT an email

  1. Email Address: [email protected]
  2. Subject Line: Submission to Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2031
  3. Content:
  • a) Use the suggested submission points above as a guide for content
  • b) Try to use your own words to personalise your submission
  • c) If you’re short of time just cut-and-paste the points above

2. Squadron Drive interchange 

There is a proposal in the RLTP to upgrade the Squadron Drive interchange, adjacent to Somerset Retirement Village. This will involve the construction of west-facing ramps at SH18 at a cost of $68 million.

This is good news and we want to show our support in ensuring it happens

Suggested submission points:

  • The Squadron Drive interchange upgrade is vital
  • This area’s population is growing massively, one of the fastest in Auckland
  • As it stands, Squadron Drive is a half-finished interchange
  • The absence of the west-facing ramps is creating heavy congestion in Hobsonville’s internal roading network
  • A shared walking and cycling path between Squadron Drive and Fred Taylor Drive should be provided as part of this upgrade
  • The Squadron Drive upgrade will improve connections for jobs and education, enable growth and allow local roads to service local communities

SAME FAST AND EASY SUBMISSION METHOD – send AT an email

  1. Email Address: [email protected]
  2. Subject Line: Submission to Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2031
  3. Content:
  • a) Use the suggested submission points above as a guide for content
  • b) Try to use your own words to personalise your submission
  • c) If you’re short of time just cut-and-paste the points above

AT’s home page says, “We would love your feedback”

So, don’t hold back. Give it to them loud and clear. Easy access to our homes by road and water is hugely important so let’s make sure they hear our views.

Kind regards,

HPRS Committee

PS Please feel free to share this with anyone who you feel would want to have their say

Remember 02 May is deadline day!