Athelstan St resident Sally Stanley says before she started using a walking frame it was difficult to cross the Spreydon street, but now vehicles have to stop for her.
The only protection for pedestrians who cross the road at the end where Ms Stanley lives is a traffic island.
She said vehicles sometimes drive too fast along the street and it is putting her fellow elderly neighbours in danger.
“Man alive, do they [motorists] put their foot down.
“I’m a local and I’ve been here all my life. That road was never made for the traffic it gets.
“We have trouble getting across.”
City council staff have declined a request to the Spreydon-Cashmere Community Board from six of Ms Stanley’s neighbours to lower the speed limit along Athelstan St from 50km/h to 30km/h.
Their written request said the busy street is near Barrington Mall, Barrington Medical Centre, bus stops, taxi stands and a lawyer’s office and it is very stressful for some older people to cross.
Their concerns were raised with the board in June.
The board requested city council staff consider reducing the speed limit along the street and other traffic calming measures.
However, city council staff have reported back to the board, saying it is not necessary.
Said the report from staff: “2016 surveys indicate that the average daily traffic flow for Athelstan St is 3921 vehicles per day, with vehicles’ speed averaging 40km/h.
"An additional speed survey on August 19, 2019, showed the average speed was 42km/h. This would see Athelstan St rated as low risk according to New Zealand Transport Agency’s speed management guideline.
“Of the three crashes on the street in the last five years, none have involved pedestrians. Staff have concluded that the safe and appropriate speed for this street is 50km/h.
“Staff note that the constant, relatively high volumes of traffic faced by local pedestrians would not be affected by a reduced speed limit. Staff noted also that traffic calming measures are currently not funded in the council’s Long Term Plan.”
Ms Stanley is not happy with the decision.
“I just think it is disappointing."
She said Athelstan St is more like “a busy highway” at peak times of the day.
