11 September 2009 Media Statement

National’s Waterview option bad news for Mt Albert community

Today’s confirmation of National’s commitment to a surface and tunnel option for Auckland’s Waterview connection will cause major economic, environmental and community disruption, Labour’s MP for Mt Albert David Shearer said.

The Auckland Regional Transport Agency has confirmed it will push ahead with National’s choice of a hybrid motorway for the Waterview connection.

“National’s proposal will see the unnecessary and heartless destruction of 200 more homes, huge traffic disruption, and businesses paying the price of massive upheaval in the community,” David Shearer said.

“It will see a lot of green space make way for roads in a community already lacking in parks and reserves.

“The hybrid option the Government has opted for will have a massive impact on businesses and commuters. The reality is that people will now have to get used to detours, traffic jams and running late.”
David Shearer says the Transport Minister Stephen Joyce has continued to cook up the costs of Labour’s preferred tunnel option, a tactic National tried unsuccessfully to try and trick Mt Albert voters that it was unaffordable.
“The clear trend overseas for similar projects is for tunnels and an increased focus on public transport. Stephen Joyce’s thinking is stuck in the 60s. He just wants to build more roads,” David Shearer said.

“National’s cut and cover option lacks vision and sense. It doesn’t take into account the wishes of a community that will now be split in two.

David Shearer is also questioning National’s costings, saying the estimated $1.4 billion for the project is questionable.

“I will be keeping a close eye on both the financial and physical progress of the project.

“It didn’t have to be this way. The tunnel option would have been more environmentally and economically sound, but logical arguments aren’t holding much sway for this Government,” David Shearer said.

ENDS

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