ACT Transport spokesman and Auckland resident, Penny Webster, has placed a Bill in the Private Members ballot that will make it the Auckland Regional Council’s responsibility to finish the Auckland’s principal roading network by the end of 2005.

“It is estimated that the economic cost of traffic congestion in Auckland is $800 million per year and growing. Under current planning and funding constraints, the problem is expected to remain over the next decade and is likely to become worse as a piece meal and ad-hoc attitude to completion develops.

“Auckland’s strategic network was identified in reports as far back as 1964. This map forms part of the current plan and is repeated in my Bill.

“The plethora of local interested parties, who lack the overall responsibility to get the network completed seems to be the problem.

“My Bill will see the completion of the network.

“The environmental costs of congestion are also unacceptably high, with emission levels far greater than would be the case if the principal roading network was completed. The Auckland Regional Council recently stated that vehicles ‘perform poorly and pollute more when they are idling in long queues.

“Urgent action now will potentially save billions of dollars in congestion costs, and make for significant environmental improvements,” said Penny Webster

ENDS

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