Road-only harbour crossing has extremely low public support

Tuesday, 5 July 2016, 1:15 pm
Press Release: Generation Zero

Road-only harbour crossing has extremely low public support - Generation Zero

A poll of 500 Aucklanders conducted by UMR research, on behalf of Generation Zero, has found a road-only harbour crossing has extremely low public support with only 22% supportive.

Spokesperson for Generation Zero, Leroy Beckett, says “The Government's preferred option is supported by less than a quarter of Aucklanders. We want Minister Bridges to rule out a road only crossing.”

“In addition the lack of public support, and the billions of dollars it will cost taxpayers, the recent ATAP report shows a second crossing making congestion worse by 2046. In no way is this the best option for Auckland.”

“The agency should be working quickly with Auckland Transport to progress a road and rail crossing, and look at a rail only crossing.”

The poll was commission by the group after new NZTA documents released by Transport Blog, showed a road-only connection was being progressed for the new Auckland Waitemata Harbour crossing, rather than a crossing that has both a road and rail connection. In documents, released under the Official Information Act, it showed that the Government only plan to designate a road based crossing.

“The government and Auckland Transport must work together to ensure planning and for a combined road and rail crossing is progressed at the same time. After the city rail link is built the next major area of development is the North Shore. ”

The poll asked about people’s support for three options; a road only crossing, a road and rail crossing and a rail only crossing. Support for a Auckland harbour crossing that is for rail and road was by far the
most popular option amongst Auckland respondents. Almost two thirds (64%) said they would support (6-10, on a 0-10 scale) that option, 22% were neutral (4-6) or unsure and 14% were opposed (0-3). The option with the next highest support was for a rail only crossing; 42% support, 29% neutral and 29% oppose.

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