Auckland Transport is preparing to start work next week on two more island roads – kerb and channelling sections of Te Toki and Ocean roads as well as doing repairs to the latter’s surface.

“It will be mainly bank sides where we have a problem with surface water flowing across the roads,” Auckland Transport spokesperson Mike Isle said this week.

Responding to criticism about the continuing disappearance of swathes and berms in favour of concrete alternatives, Mr Isle said kerb and channelling and any other edge treatments – of which there were several – was determined on a case by case basis.

He said the edge treatments most often used on Waiheke were sealed shoulder, edge beam, kerb and channel and dish channel.

“These are all permitted solutions under the guidelines and standards Auckland Transport is required to follow but there are advantages and disadvantages associated with each.

“That is why a decision needs to be made according to the circumstances.”

He said he could not give proportions of each for all the island’s roads but understood the most common one on Waiheke was the sealed shoulder.

Mr Isle said if kerb and channelling was specified, it was usually because it was the best method of improving channelisation and provided necessary demarcation between vehicular traffic and pedestrians – the case on Causeway Road – or as a means of managing and directing stormwater flow and surface run-off.

“That is the case with planned works on Te Toki and Ocean Roads due to start next week.”

He said decisions about which edge treatment would be used and what should be done for each individual project was made by Auckland Transport based on engineers’ recommendations.

“These are reported to the Waiheke Local Board on a monthly basis.”

He said the nature of the road works did not compromise the board’s desire to protect the character of the island – it was a simple matter of protecting the island’s character, people (motorists and pedestrians), and its roading assets.

He said Auckland Transport had a responsibility to provide a safe roading environment and stormwater requirements were assessed under the Air, Land and Water Plan.

“The solutions Auckland Transport is implementing are the best option in terms of road user safety and stormwater management.”

Waiheke Local Board chairperson Faye Storer and transport spokesperson Jo Holmes were asked to comment about how the urban nature of the roadworks fitted in with the board’s promise to protect the island’s character.

Ms Storer deferred the response to Ms Holmes but Gulf News had not received a reply by the time the paper went to press. Diana Worthy