11 July 2008

Transmission Gully costs will never end

Reports today that the cost of Transmission Gully cannot be met by the local and regional councils come as no surprise to the Green Party, Wellington Transport Spokesperson Sue Kedgley says.

"The gully route is an insatiable drain on transport funds and no one is willing, or able, to stump up with such vast amounts of money. I predicted this situation just two weeks ago," Ms Kedgley says.

"The Government is already spending six times more on roading than it does on superior options such as rail, which are far more efficient, safe and needed than roads.

"It was reported yesterday that Wellington's city council has observed a 20 percent drop in traffic on Wellington roads. Perversely, this is being used as a reason to can planned bus lanes. Yet, those 20 percent of commuters are now on bikes and in buses and trains. And where is the money going? Onto motorways.

"It is absurd for the Wellington Mayor to suggest that even more Government funds should be poured into such an obvious white elephant as Transmission Gully.

"It is time for councils to recognise public transport is priority. With petrol now costing $2.18 a litre, what commuters are crying out for is better public transport, better cycle and walking facilities and an end to this obsession with motorways."

ENDS

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