The eastern corridor motorway is the vital missing link in Transit NZ Auckland Motorway Strategy announced today, said ACT Transport spokesman Penny Webster.

“In a recent AA survey a majority of Aucklanders wanted the Eastern corridor completed.

“For Transit to say that it will further investigate the eastern corridor and push the completion date out to beyond 2010 is just not acceptable. If the problem is local government involvement or even the resource management act process this government must step in and act accordingly.

“The same applies to the Northwestern and Southern link which is pushed out to beyond 2005. These are the routes that need to be completed, and completed quickly, as they are responsible for the worst congestion.

“With congestion conservatively estimated to cost $755 million a year to businesses, the completion of the system is vital.

“Cars are here to stay and the spread of Auckland public transport is not the answer. Lobby groups like the Greens who stated “why blow $1 billion dollars now…if we can get Aucklanders out of their cars, there won't be the same need for new motorway spending.

“Transit’s decision to spend $1 billion over ten years, compared to the $755 million a year Aucklanders lose each year, seems logical. The Greens are in cloud cuckoo land if they think that they can force people out of their cars.

“The ACT party understands the Auckland transport problem and will continue to actively promote workable solutions,” said Penny Webster.

ENDS

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