Eden Park precinct upgrade
We are
funding a range of transport and infrastructure improvement projects in the
streets surrounding Eden Park.
Aerial photo of Eden Park Stadium and the surrounding streets.
These projects will provide significant long-term benefits to local
residents, business owners and those that travel through the area and support
the successful delivery of Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011).
These
improvements will be made under the provision that they are sensitive to, and
appropriate for, the residential neighbourhood.
Long-term
benefits for residents include:
- improvements in vehicle flow around Eden Park, and between the stadium
and the central city
- significantly improved passenger transport connections in the
precinct, easing parking requirements for the area
- improved infrastructure and enhancements to the key town centres in
the precinct
- improved walking routes between Eden Park and the CBD, Morningside and
Eden Valley and Kingsland town centres
- improved traffic management and crowd management during all events and
matches held at the stadium in the lead-up to RWC 2011 and beyond.
Transport projects
RWC 2011 has been the catalyst for several transport initiatives and
improvements, most of which occur in the Eden Park precinct. These include:
Realignment of Sandringham Road
A great
deal of work to improve public transport facilities, traffic flow and safety has
taken place along Sandringham Road over the past 10 years and this project is
another step towards making improvements along the whole corridor.
The
improvements to Sandringham Road adjacent to Eden Park will mean pedestrians can
move to and from Eden Park, Kingsland rail station and the city centre more
efficiently and safely.
The
improvements will provide safer intersections, open public spaces and facilitate
increased movement and management of large crowds during major events at Eden
Park stadium.
Improvements to the intersection of Sandringham and Walters roads will also be
undertaken to make crossing the road safer for pedestrians.
Project
timeline: The realignment of Sandringham Road project involves the removal of
land frontage from some properties, with some houses being relocated within
their current boundaries. All affected property owners and tenants have been
consulted throughout this project.
Improving access between Eden Park and New North Road, via a new link lane
Construction of a new link lane from New North Road to Walters Road will enable
improved access to and from the stadium from this main artery and will reduce
pressure around Kingsland rail station by separating train-bound and New-North
Road/CBD bound pedestrians.
The new
link will be a shared vehicle and pedestrian space, except when events are on at
Eden Park, when it will be used only by pedestrians.
This
project involves the removal of two houses at 6 Sandringham Road and 27 Walters
Road during the coming months before preparation work for the link lane begins,
early November 2009. Actual construction to build the link lane will begin in
early 2010.
Walking routes
In order
to relieve pressure on the public transport system on event days, the council is
looking at ways to provide alternative and more sustainable travel options.
One
identified internationally recognised alternative means of transportation for
major events, is walking routes.
To enable
the movement of several thousand pedestrians to and from Eden Park on game days,
and to ensure people use a variety of routes so crowds are not concentrated in
one area, several walking routes have been identified which take the most
direct, safe and accessible routes, to and from the CBD, Dominion Road, and
Morningside rail station.
The three
identified routes are:
- CBD to Eden Park: Queen Street, Karangahape Road, Great North Road,
Bond Street, New North Road, the link lane, Eden Park. This is the main CBD-Eden
Park route, approximately 3.6km in length, with an estimated walking time of 45
minutes. It was chosen as it provides pedestrians with entertainment, food and
beverage outlets, wider footpaths than other considered routes, and some
shelter.
- Dominion Road, Walters Road, Eden Park
- Morningside station, Morningside Drive, Altham Avenue, Sandringham
Road, Eden Park.
The work
to be carried out on these routes includes some footpath renewals, kerb
extensions, channelling work, and additional lighting from Kingsland,
Morningside and Eden Valley to Eden Park.
Street improvements and maintenance
As Eden
Park will be a key venue during RWC 2011, it is crucial that the roads in the
immediate area are of a high standard.
Improvements such as resurfacing, kerb repairs and traffic calming measures to
the following roads will be considered on a priority needs basis:
- Walters Road (from Sandringham Road to Dominion Road)
- Reimers Avenue
- Cricket Avenue
- Bellwood Avenue
- Altham Road to Morningside railway station
- Rossmay Terrace to Morningside railways station
Undergrounding utilities
Auckland
City Council is working with Vector to underground utilities on the streets
immediately surrounding Eden Park in time for RWC 2011:
- Walters Road
- Cricket Avenue
- Reimers Avenue
Work is due to begin in October 2009.
Minor Town centre improvements
Key
gateways presenting Auckland and Eden Park to the world during RWC 2011 are
Kingsland and Eden Valley town centres.
- Kingsland town centre will feature prominently as an
entertainment district with food and beverage outlets frequented by both rugby
patrons and visitors to the area as well as the local community
- Eden Valley town centre will play a vital role to spectators
and patrons with food and beverage outlets
Some
minor and essential work will be carried out to these two centres to ensure a
safe and welcoming precinct for visitors and the community in the lead up and
during the tournament.
Work may
include footpath maintenance, minor town centre upgrades including updated
street furniture and amenities.
Any
long-term upgrades of these centres will not be done before 2011.
Parking zones and signage
Planning
is underway to review parking zones, parking schemes and signage in the Eden
Park area.
One
change could see the use of permanent flip down signs instead of the
installation of temporary event signage for each game, which is cumbersome and
labour intensive.
Changes
to current residents parking schemes will occur during the tournament to ensure
safe and successful transport and traffic operations during the tournament.
These changes will be communicated directly to those affected.
Bus
and coach parking
During
RWC 2011 Eden Park will be a hive of activity, especially with the predicted
number of rugby fans travelling to the stadium on package coach tours.
The
current bus hub in the southwest corner of Eden Park will not be able to meet
expected demands.
Consideration is being given to temporary bus and coach parking areas close to
the stadium, which could include New North Road, Sandringham Road, Morningside
Drive, Bond Street, and Great North Road.
Security measures – CCTV
Closed
Circuit Television (CCTV) is an important component in the successful delivery
of a large-scale event.
The
council has identified a number of key locations for the installation of new
CCTV devices that compliment the existing systems in place across the city.
This
system will help monitor transport operations and traffic flow as well as
providing increased security during events held in and around Eden Park.
Updated September 2009
