Regional Council adopts plan for land transport

The recently consulted upon Regional Land Transport Plan was adopted by Horizons Regional Council during a meeting in Palmerston North today.

This Plan sets the strategic direction for the Region's land transport system and identifies proposed activities for investment by local and central government over the next ten years.

It includes policy and activities relating to the Region’s roading maintenance and improvements, public transport services and infrastructure, walking and cycling, road safety and transport planning across the Region.

The draft plan received 39 submissions, which Horizons chairman Bruce Gordon described as well thought-out and valuable to the Regional Transport Committee as it developed its final plan.

“We heard from a number of submitters on the strategic roading network, increased recognition of alternative forms of transport, long distance passenger rail services, impacts of forestry on the roading network, the importance of rail freight and economic development.

“All of these issues were considered by the Committee before the final Plan was referred to Council for adoption and we really appreciate people taking the time to weigh in and have their say,” Mr Gordon said.

“Some of the key transport projects included for the 2015-25 period are the replacement of the Whirokino Trestle Bridge on State Highway One and a walking/cycling clip-on to the State Highway Three Manawatu River Bridge at Ashhurst. Our focus now shifts from planning to implementing these projects with the help of our transport partners.”

Copies of the final Plan will be available on the Horizons website within the next two weeks, with hard copies available upon request.

The Regional Transport Committee is made up of two Regional Councillors together with seven members representing Territorial Authorities (one from each Territorial Authority in the Region), and one member representing the New Zealand Transport Agency as well as a range of advisory members representing road users, the New Zealand Police, KiwiRail and the freight industry.

ENDS

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