Tell us your thoughts on safety improvements for Vogel Street

Published on 03 November 2023

We’re asking the community for feedback on two options to make it safer to walk, cycle and drive on Vogel Street.

During last year’s annual budget consultation, a group of residents asked Council to make the street safer. Over the past 18 months council staff have been investigating and looking at options for differing ways to make the street safer.

We have identified two options to improve safety for all road users on the street and we’re now seeking feedback on which option the community would like us to consider.

Acting Transport and Development Group Manager Bryce Hosking says there have been more than 50 crashes on Vogel Street in the past five years. Fifteen of these crashes resulted in injuries and two involved pedestrians. There were 14 cases of drivers losing control and 25 rear-end collisions at intersections, with the majority of these at the Featherston Street intersection.

“We’re committed to addressing these safety concerns to ensure Vogel Street becomes a safer route for everyone, whether you're walking, cycling, or driving. Our proposed solutions include a combination of installing three raised pedestrian crossings, a right-turn bay into Featherston Street and a cycleway for the section between Tremaine and Featherston Streets.”

Raised pedestrian crossings provide a visible platform for pedestrians by elevating them above the road level to improve their visibility to drivers. Our plan includes installing three platforms at the intersections of Rata Street, Hayden Street, and Rangiora Avenue. In locations in the city, raised crossings have seen vehicle speeds drop by about 10 km/h.

A right-turn bay into Featherston Street will improve traffic flow and reduce the risk of rear-end accidents by providing a designated space for motorists waiting to turn so they are not waiting in the traffic lane.

Vogel Street is also part of our Urban Cycle Network Master Plan but implementing a cycleway will require us to reallocate space on the road as there are currently no cycling facilities on the street. We’re seeking feedback on two types of cycleway designs – a separated cycleway and a shared pathway.

“A separated cycleway offers a physical barrier between cyclists and traffic, however, it requires the removal of on-street parking . A separated cycleway is like what is on Main Street – Pioneer Highway and these types of cycleways are also what will be constructed on Featherston Street and Summerhill Drive next year. Shared pathways are like what you see on a walkway where both pedestrians and cyclists use the same space. While they work well in recreational areas, the design has safety challenges in a busy urban setting as they span across driveways and side streets, and drivers are not used to looking both ways for people on bikes. Constructing this option on Vogel Street would cost significantly more as it requires the removal of 37 street trees, the relocation of 14 streetlights as well as widening the footpath.”

Option 1: Raised pedestrian crossings + right-turn bay + shared pathway

• Raised pedestrian crossings at three key intersections (Rata St, Hayden St, and Rangiora Ave)
• A right-turn bay into Featherston Street
• A shared pathway for both pedestrians and cyclists.

Option 2: Raised pedestrian crossings + right-turn bay + separated cycleway

• Raised pedestrian crossings at three key intersections (Rata St, Hayden St, and Rangiora Ave)
• A right-turn bay into Featherston Street
• A separated cycleway with a physical barrier for added safety.

Feedback is open until 4pm on Thursday 30 November

People can provide feedback on the two options via our website, or paper feedback forms at Roslyn Library.

We’re also hosting a drop-in session where the community can come to ask questions and talk to our project team. This will be held at the Roslyn library from 5–6.30pm on Thursday 23 November.

Feedback will be considered by our elected members in the New Year. Funding for any improvements will be considered as part of the long-term plan consultation next March/April.