Environment Court’s ruling another significant step forward

“Another significant milestone in completing the regional roading network in the next seven years.”

That was the reaction today by Auckland Mayor John Banks to the Environment Court’s ruling, which gives the green light to extend State Highway 20 through Mt Roskill.

“The distinguished Judge Treadwell’s ruling is good news for the entire regional project which will give Auckland a much needed triple by-pass. I am committed to completing Auckland’s integrated transport network in the next seven years and today’s news reinforces that the timeline can be achieved.

“I support Transit Regional Manager Wayne McDonald’s comment that this extension is a key component of plans to resolve the region’s traffic congestion. Whilst I respect the right for people to object, much time has already been wasted and the start of construction could not come sooner,” he said.

The judgement states that deviation from completing this major state highway link is ‘patently untenable.’

The Environment Court’s green light comes at a time when Auckland City Council’s transport committee is giving the go-ahead to a phase two detailed study of the Eastern Corridor.

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