Return to all
Easing Congestion on Accent Drive

Easing Congestion on Accent Drive

Public engagement took place from 6–28 October 2025. AT received 78 survey responses, alongside feedback from local businesses, residents, and regular commuters, as well as direct engagement with Business East Tāmaki and local boards. We appreciate the time people took to share their views and local insights.

You can read the full Engagement Summary Report here.­­

What we heard

Feedback reflected a range of perspectives about how Accent Drive currently operates.

Common themes included:

  • Strong support for addressing congestion, particularly in the afternoons
  • Support for adding an additional southbound lane to improve traffic flow (74% of respondents)  
  • Varied views on the proposed 3–7pm clearway hours
  • Concerns about parking availability and impacts on nearby businesses
  • Safety concerns, particularly visibility when turning and at busy access points
  • Suggestions for improvements such as signal timing changes, better public transport, and walking and cycling connections

AT also heard that parked vehicles during busy times can reduce visibility and contribute to safety risks, particularly for turning movements.

What is progressing

Accent Drive is a key arterial route in East Tāmaki, carrying up to 17,000 vehicles per weekday, including a high proportion of freight. Congestion is most severe in the afternoon peak, with travel speeds dropping significantly between 3pm and 7pm.  

Following feedback, technical assessments, and local board support, we will progress the following targeted, low-cost improvements:

  • An additional southbound lane (towards Chapel Road) by narrowing sections of the existing median
  • A weekday clearway (3–7pm) to keep this lane clear during the busiest period
  • Broken yellow lines in selected locations to improve safety and visibility for turning movements

These changes are designed to make better use of the existing road space, improving traffic flow and reliability for general traffic, freight, and buses, while maintaining parking outside of clearway hours.

AT will also review traffic signal operations along the corridor to support smoother traffic flow.

Additional suggestions

AT heard a range of suggestions including road widening, additional parking, public transport upgrades, and cycling improvements.

While many of these ideas are valuable, larger infrastructure changes fall outside the scope of this optimisation project. However, your feedback has been shared with relevant Auckland Transport teams and will help inform future planning.

What happens next

AT are now finalising the design and progressing toward implementation as part of the Auckland Network Optimisation Programme.

They will coordinate delivery with other planned works to minimise disruption. Information will be provided to those directly affected ahead of construction.

If you would like to speak with the project team, please contact ATengagement@at.govt.nz.