Budget cut derails Mt Albert village revamp

Auckland Transport has cut funding for a footbridge, disrupting a planned revamp of Mt Albert town centre.

The footbridge is part of an upgrade for Mt Albert, shared between Auckland Council and Auckland Transport, to connect the nearby train station to the square in the village.

The development site is currently a car park leased to Video Ezy and Ray White Real Estate.

Auckland Transport’s funding cut was announced suddenly, to the frustration of some Mt Albert residents.

Some locals believe the bridge, for which Auckland Transport is responsible, is essential for the overall town centre revamp. Currently pedestrian access is either a tunnel to the south or a narrow footpath from the Carrington Road bridge to the village.

Mt Albert Residents Association committee member Catherine Goodwin said the uncompleted bridge will pose a huge problem because planning was done on the basis of the train station exit being the overbridge onto the town centre.

The upgrade is a priority in Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan, with $1.9m funding. The plan states the aim is to provide “a catalyst for private investment and generate economic development and urban regeneration, making Mt Albert a destination area”.

“If you haven’t got the bridge coming into the town square you’ve made no difference to the pedestrian traffic. One doesn’t make sense without the other,” said Ms Goodwin.

The Carrington Road entrance to the village has a narrow footpath beside a four-lane road. “There’s no barrier, it’s just an accident waiting to happen.”

Auckland Transport apologised to Mt Albert residents for the handling of its financial cut, and said the bridge plan remains “on the discussion board”.

Local train commuter Hayden Donnell says: “Mt Albert needs more pedestrian traffic to revitalise local business. It’s disappointing that we are losing funding while they build more congested roads.”