No, they are not removing lanes. They already removed them!

Here is the nice detailed letter I got from a traffic engineer when I wrote to complain:

Thank you for your enquiry #1634405 regarding the recent road marking changes around Evans Bay Parade.

Greta Point has recently had several land use changes. The area now has over 100 household properties, three child care centres, a motel, retail outlets and more proposed apartments. This area is now experiencing increased safety risk due to pedestrian and vehicle (including cycles) numbers.

The Council is carrying out traffic calming measures at Greta Point to improve the safety environment for all road users. By reducing the speed of vehicles, it has been proven that fewer crashes will result. To achieve this, traffic calming measures such as kerb extensions, traffic islands, flush median road markings are designed and built at appropriate locations.

These traffic calming measures are designed to provide a carriageway for cyclists and other vehicles to move safely and at the appropriate speed. Where the Council receives complaints about the measures, the designs are reviewed and if justified, adjustments are made to the devices to improve safety.

The Council, assisted by local residents, has identified the safety issues along the Greta Point as;
* No crossing facilities for child care centres and pedestrians.
* Vehicle speeds too high through Greta Point area.
* Increase in crashes relating to vehicle speed.
The traffic calming measures the Council is undertaking to improve safety include
* Flush median road marking from Rata Road to just north of NIWA .
* Install raised centre island located between two child care centres.
* Kerb extensions
* Removal of some on street parking spaces next to kerb extensions.
* Installing driver speed feedback signs

The road markings have followed the Austroads recommendations for mixed cycle and vehicle traffic. A 4.0 metre wide traffic lane is designed to allow for the safe movement of cyclists and vehicles where the vehicle speed does not exceed 60km/h. The presence of a flush median separating the traffic lanes provides a safety area for vehicles overtaking cyclists should this be necessary, while noting that the flush median is required to reduce vehicle speed.

To accommodate existing pedestrian movements, a pedestrian refuge (Centre Island) is to be constructed adjacent to the existing residential units. For a short distance the lane width will reduce to 3.5 metres and on street parking prohibited.

As you will know the Council has provided an off road cycle facility along the whole length of Evans Bay Parade. Cyclists are encouraged to use that facility.

I trust that I have answered your concerns. Council acknowledges that our transport corridors are not always of sufficient width to accommoate all modes of transport safely. We do try constantly to balance the risks associated with travel.