ACT has sympathy will the view of Wellington City Council (WCC) that Transmission Gully should not be funded out of local rates, said ACT Transport spokesman Penny Webster.
The WCC voted 9-1 against the early construction of Transmission Gully, a proposed SH1 route into Wellington. ACT believes Transmission Gully should be constructed, but funded by users, not local residents.
“The Coalition Government promised to pass legislation allowing toll roads to be built. The issue of Transmission Gully was raised after the election and “Labour promised to let developers build and operate toll roads” (EVP 02/12/99). They have failed to live up to this promise.
“Toll roads allow construction costs to be recuperated after the road is built, instead of trying to raise the majority of the money before construction. Transmission Gully is a prime example of the farcical roading legislation that will not see this much needed arterial road begun until at least 2015.
“Transmission Gully is a road needed by all New Zealanders. Wellington is New Zealand’s capital city yet it is grossly under resourced in roading infrastructure. Construction of Transmission Gully would allow both residents and visitors ease of use to the port, Te Papa, Kapiti and the Civic Square.
“The Transmission Gully debate symbolises the frustration and hopelessness many communities around New Zealand share. Most desperately want a new road in their district but are mercilessly held hostage by archaic Government policy.
“The Minister of Transport Mark Gosche must change legislation now to allow toll roads to partially fund high demand roading initiatives.
“This is a bit the water on the stone situation, if we drip away enough it just might happen,” said Penny Webster.

ENDS

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