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Ramming motorway through Mt Albert unacceptable
12 May 2009
Ramming motorway through Mt Albert
unacceptable
The National Government’s plan to bulldoze a motorway through Mt Albert is shortsighted, destructive and unnecessary, said Green Party Co-Leader Dr Russel Norman today.
Responding to news that the Transport Agency will announce a $1.4 billion motorway project that is likely to demolish at least 240 houses, Dr Norman said the people of Waterview’s worst fears will be realised.
“It is 1950s dinosaur thinking to hammer a motorway through the heart of a residential area.”
Dr Norman advocates investing the motorway money into three public transport projects that would cost the same: Building a rail line from Avondale to Onehunga (on designated land that won’t take out houses), a rail link from Onehunga to the airport, and improvements to busways on local arterial roads.
“This motorway is an outrageous assault on a low income area. It’s disgraceful that this Government is targeting the poor so Ministers can get home from the airport quicker.”
Dr Norman – who was given a guided tour of Oakley Creek and its urban waterfall on Sunday – said the roading project would compromise its fragile ecosystem.
“Local residents and their environment lose out because of this shortsighted decision that won’t even solve congestion, because only public transport can do that. Motorways need to be put on the backburner when there is a genuine alternative.”
Dr Norman expects the controversial motorway decision will heighten interest in tomorrow’s public debate on Mt Albert electorate transport issues.
* The 7.30pm debate at Unitec’s Faumuina Gold Theatre is hosted by Eden Albert Community Board chair Christopher Dempsey. The Faumuina Gold Theatre is in the foyer of Unitec’s building 180. Entrance is Gate 4 on Carrington Rd, Mt Albert.
• Link to rail costings (page 28) http://www.arta.co.nz/assets/arta%20publications/2008/Planning%20for%20rapid%20transport%20corridors%20in%20sw%20auckland.pdf
• Link to costing of arterial route improvements (pages 47 and 53) http://www.arta.co.nz/home/draft_200910_201112_auckland_regional_land_transport_programme.html .
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