Media Release: 27 January 2016

Auckland transport package will help restore public confidence – AA

The AA welcomes the transport package announced by the Government today, describing it as an important step towards restoring public confidence in Auckland’s transport programme.

As part of his State of the Nation address, Prime Minister John Key advised that the Government will formalise its funding commitment to the City Rail Link (CRL) from 2020, allowing a 2018 start date for the project. The Government will also streamline consenting for the East West Connections roading project in order to bring forward construction.

AA spokesman Barney Irvine said the package was good news for Auckland.

“For the first time in years, local and central government are singing from the same song sheet on Auckland transport, and we have greater certainty on some of the key projects on the agenda. This is what our Members have been wanting to see.”

The AA regularly surveys its 300,000 Auckland Members on transport issues, and feedback in recent years shows that public trust in Auckland’s transport decision-making has taken a big dip, he said.

“Like most Aucklanders, AA Members have been deeply frustrated by the lack of progress and the unfulfilled promises,” he said. “Congestion’s getting worse, but all they’ve seen is local and central government bickering. Today’s announcement suggests we’ve turned a corner.”

The AA is delighted to see plans in place for an early start on the CRL business case, and will be calling on policy-makers to use this to lead a much more focused public conversation about the project’s benefits.

“The focus has been on the vision, not the detail, and it’s still not clear enough what the project will deliver in terms of economic growth and congestion relief. Aucklanders need to know what they’re signing up to,” Mr Irvine said.

Today’s package is not just about Auckland and the AA is pleased to see that the next four of the Government’s regional roading projects will also receive funding.

“These projects have important road safety and economic growth benefits,” Mr Irvine said. “What we need to see now are clear delivery timeframes.”

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