20 December 2004

Mayor Curtis Disappointed Over Auckland City Corridor Decision

Manukau mayor Sir Barry Curtis says he is disappointed that Auckland City Council has decided to abandon the road component within its boundaries of the planned Eastern Transport Corridor project.

The Corridor route extends from Manukau City centre to downtown Auckland City.

Manukau City Council is continuing planning for the route within its boundaries, including both roading and public transport options. However all parts of the route are interconnected and planning for each section is not conducted in isolation.

This week Manukau's Transport Committee reconfirmed its commitment to the project overall and made a number of strategic decisions affecting the next stage of planning, including that the Allen's Road option (to connect East Tamaki to Mt Wellington) be considered a long term project only and considered at a later date.

However the committee expressed its concern over Auckland City's decision not to proceed with the proposed Hobson Bay roading element which it considers vital to ensure the efficient movement of people and goods throughout the Auckland region.

Mayor Sir Barry Curtis says the decision is a big setback.

"I believe it is foolish and short sighted. It's not possible to deal with the continually increasing demands being put on the transport system by adding more bus and train services alone. Public transport is part of the solution, but not the sole solution, no matter how often that mantra is repeated over and over.

"Road traffic through both Manukau and Auckland will continue to grow in future and we need to make provision for that, which is why we will be providing extra roading infrastructure, in particular around the Pakuranga/ Ti Rakau Drive area. The business area of East Tamaki will continue to grow fast over the next decade, and in doing so produce much more road traffic.

"As a region we have had too little action for decades on transport but over the last three years we were making progress. Now is not the time to stop for a cup of tea.

"I am not backing down on the need for the Eastern Corridor and will continue to push hard for it to be completed as it should be, with a road component extending through the eastern suburbs of Auckland City, over the coming year."

ENDS

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