Report Points To Saving For Motorists

Wednesday 25/8/04

Report Points To A $600 Million A Year Saving For Motorists

A major new report released today by the Allen Consulting Group from Australia and Infometrics of New Zealand has been described as the most significant transport report released in New Zealand in a decade.

AA General Manager Transport Policy, Stephen Selwood, said the report, entitled ‘Benefits of Investing in New Zealand’s Road Infrastructure’ laid out a clear and irrefutable case for increased investment in road infrastructure in New Zealand. He said the report highlighted benefits for individual motorists, business and the economy.

The report concentrates on four major investment projects -

A national passing lanes package — consisting of 402 separate projects designed to improve safety on a number of New Zealand’s rural roads. An Auckland western ring route package — to reduce inner city traffic and increase the connectedness of Auckland’s urban arterial road network A Tauranga strategic roading network package — to meet the future road infrastructure needs of the Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty regions, and A Wellington regional land transport package — to achieve a balanced and sustainable land transport network meeting community needs (only roading aspect modelled)

“If the proposed investments were to go ahead, motorists would be better off by some $600 million per year from 2012,” Mr. Selwood said. “In addition the economy would benefit by $1 billion per year, commuter times would be reduced, business transport costs would drop and crashes and their subsequent health costs would be reduced and public transport would operate more efficiently. In short investing in our transport and roading network would provide real and measurable returns that would make every New Zealander better off.”

“What the report says to government is that we have a choice about the future we want for this country. If we ignore the implications of the report we will continue to see our transport network, with implications for the business and export sectors falter, our road toll continue to rise and our economy continue to slide behind comparable nations towards third world standards,” Mr. Selwood said.

“Our alternative future is to start seriously investing in our economic and social lifeline, our roading infrastructure, accepting that it is the best possible investment New Zealanders can make in their future,” he said.

ENDS

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