Transit wrong over cycleway

Northcote MP Ann Hartley is furious that Transit New Zealand says it will give priority to putting power cables on the Auckland Harbour Bridge over a cycle and walkway, delaying the bridge bike ‘n’ hike plan for up to 20 years.

“Transit was clearly told that a parliamentary select committee supported the idea of a feasibility study, and was told to carry one out,” she said.

“For Transit to simply say that a cycle and walkway will have to wait for a second bridge to be built because power cables have to go on the existing bridge is not acceptable.”

Ann Hartley, a long-time proponent of the bridge hike ‘n’ bike plan, said that it was not up to Transit to unilaterally decide that cables took priority over people.

“If, as Transit has indicated, the load-bearing capacity of the existing bridge is an issue, then the people of Auckland should have a say in deciding the priorities for using that bridge,” she said.

Ann Hartley will take the matter up with the Minister of Transport and Transit New Zealand.

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