Grant
ROBERTSON
Wellington Central MP
Annette
KING
Rongotai MP

21 March 2013 MEDIA STATEMENT

Flyover Still The Wrong Option For Wellington

Labour MPs Grant Robertson and Annette King are urging the Wellington City Council to continue to not support the flyover beside the Basin Reserve at their meeting this morning.

“We are disappointed that the Council officials’ paper concludes that the flyover (Option A) is the best option. We simply don’t agree that a large concrete structure that will destroy the character of the area, and have questionable benefits for traffic flow, will serve Wellington and Wellingtonians, especially when there are other options available,” Grant Robertson says.

“We need to ensure that we get this right, once and for all. Auckland has had huge sums of money invested in major road projects, and Wellington deserves its fair share too. We should be looking at the best option for the long term, not just one that gives into the narrow criteria and interests of this Government and the NZTA,” Annette King says.

“The report provided to councillors fails to look at the options in the context of the rest of the changes such as a second tunnel or widening of Cobham Drive. It also fails to adequately take into account the other urban design elements of both Option X and Richard Reid’s proposals. It also leaves unanswered questions about whether the time savings for traffic are all they are cracked up to be,” Grant Robertson says.

“Wellington City Council has done a good job of sticking up for a smart transport approach so far. They should stick to their guns and push for a solution that will make the city an even more liveable place,” Annette King says.

labour.org.nz

ENDS

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