Let's Get Welly Moving hides status quo thinking under progressive sound bites

Wellington City Council Northern Ward candidate Dr Jenny Condie welcomes the significant investment in public transport, pedestrian priority and dedicated cycleways in today’s government announcement of the $6.4 billion Let’s Get Wellington Moving plan for transport infrastructure in Wellington City.

“Politicians are saying all the right things about how this transport plan will prepare us to reduce our emissions. However, beneath those sound bites more than $2 billion of that investment is slated for roading, and overall the plan is only expected to reduce car numbers travelling into the city at rush hour by 20%,” Dr Condie said.

“Dramatically reducing the number of cars entering the city is low hanging fruit if we are serious about reducing Wellington’s transport emissions, which make up 35% of the region’s carbon emissions. The details of this plan show that while politicians may be talking the right talk on climate change, they are stumbling when it comes to taking action.”

“Under the council’s Planning for Growth consultation document Northern Ward is forecast to grow by up to 36,000 residents by 2050. Given the northern suburbs are already well supported by rail, commuters will benefit from improvements for pedestrians in the central city. We also need to seize the opportunity to shift more commuters from cars onto trains and buses through greater frequency and capacity of services, more park and ride facilities, and covered waiting areas.”

© Scoop Media