Tizard’s Efforts Offer Little Hope For Auckland

Tuesday 14th Nov 2000
Penny Webster
Media Release -- Other

The Government continues to be directionless over Auckland’s transport problems, said ACT’s Transport spokesman and Auckland resident, Penny Webster.

In Parliament today Penny Webster asked the minister assisting the Prime Minister on Auckland issues, Judith Tizard, what steps she was taking to ensure the completion of the Auckland roading network. The latest Automobile Association survey shows 83 per cent of Aucklanders would happily pay road tolls if it would guarantee the roading network was completed.

“The minister stated that Auckland traffic flows are expanding between four and twelve per cent per year, yet she will not commit to a strategy. Instead Mrs Tizard attempted to side step the issue by saying Aucklanders “are very reluctant to have them through their neighbourhoods and alongside their homes.”

“Obviously Ms Tizard believes that the private good vastly outweighs the public good.

“ACT has done its research, even if Labour has not, and Auckland residents want their roading network completed.

“My Local Government (Completion of Auckland Strategic Transport Network) Amendment Bill in the Private Members ballot will make the Auckland Regional Council responsible for the completion of 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 become worse as a piece meal and ad-hoc attitude to completion develops.

“The environmental costs of congestion are also unacceptably high. The Auckland Regional Council recently stated that vehicles ‘perform poorly and pollute more when they are idling in long queues.

“Leadership and direction are needed to get the network completed. Judith Tizard’s procrastination is hurting all the residents of Auckland,” said Penny Webster.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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