Some of Ponsonby’s narrow residential side streets could soon have paid parking during evening hours under proposals designed to tackle what Auckland Transport calls a parking “free-for-all”.
Auckland Transport wants to extend paid parking from 6pm to 9pm on Thursdays to Saturdays in some streets within Ponsonby as the area struggles to meet demand for on-street parking.
The agency’s group manager of transport network, planning and policy Andrew McGill said side streets off Ponsonby Rd were clogged with people looking for free parking.
“Currently, parking in Ponsonby during the evening is a bit of a free-for-all,” he said.
“Some residential side streets off Ponsonby Rd are being clogged with people looking for a free park as they head into the many restaurants that are open.
“It’s these streets along with Ponsonby Rd that we are proposing to introduce evening paid parking to. This will make parking much fairer and bring some relief to local residents who need to park on these side streets too.
“We’re also aware of many vehicles that are often parked on Friday evenings in Ponsonby and left there until Saturday or even Sunday without repercussions.
“The weekend is also very busy for parking, and this further takes up precious parking space for others.”
The proposed evening parking would cost $2.50 an hour for the first two hours, the same as current daytime rates.
AT also wanted to introduce 10-minute pick-up and drop-off spaces, intended for delivery drivers at key locations, as drivers currently “must take their chances for parking, often forced to stop on broken yellow lines or double-parking, which can be dangerous.”
The agency also proposed dedicated e-scooter parking corrals along Ponsonby Rd after complaints from business owners about scooters being left strewn across footpaths.
Other proposed changes included extending the resident parking zone to Kelmarna Ave and Buller St, and converting some time-restricted parking to paid parking.
Feedback on the proposed changes would be open until December 1.
