28 May 2014

Parking changes mooted for Auckland

10:32 pm on 28 May 2014

Major changes could be on the way for parking in Auckland.

Auckland Transport's draft parking discussion document has just been released.

It recommends removing some free parking in the central city, metropolitan and town centres.

Auckland Transport is also proposing phasing out early bird parking in its central city parking buildings, often used by commuters, to encourage short-term casual parking and public transport use.

As well, parking could be removed entirely on arterial roads to allow traffic to flow more freely and there could be a charge for at Park and Ride areas.

The council document also looks at ways to address overcrowding on residential streets, such as introducing time limits and issuing parking permits for residents.

Automobile Association's infrastructure principal advisor Barney Irvine said some of the proposals could help ease congestion.

"A number of the things that are being proposed could help to free up the networks, so we're happy to see them brought to the table," Mr Irvine said.

"But the thing with this is that a huge number of Aucklanders are going to be affected, and Auckland Transport is going to have to manage it really carefully."

Submissions close at the end of June.