RAM media release 7.4.05

RAM asks Ombudsman for MOT's secret 'Separate Test'

"RAM is highly critical of cabinet okaying the Orewa state highway extension
as a toll road," said Elaine West, a representative of RAM - Residents
Action Movement.

"It's our view that government and councils-in-league have contrived a
situation where affected communities are politically blackmailed into
accepting tolls as the only way to get a strategic road built in the
neighbourhood."

"RAM supporters living and working within the affected community are
horrified at the prospect of paying hundreds of dollars over a year in newly
created road taxes."

"It appears from information available in the public arena that the
community did not give Transit their majority vote to build the Orewa
extension as a toll road ­ in contradiction to the recent Cabinet decision
to endorse such tolls."

"Within RAM's correspondence to the Ministry of Transport, it has been
discovered that the Ministry has a 'separate test' to determine the affected
community's decision on tolls. However, the Ministry has refused to release
this 'separate test' into the public arena."

"Therefore, RAM has approached the Ombudsmen to access the 'separate test'
and to request that the Ministry gives reasons for such a test."

Elaine West says, "RAM stands in support of lobby groups opposing tolls in
their community. We will continue to support the Highway Robbery group
within the Orewa-Puhoi area, as well as the Tolls Action Group in Tauranga -
to help put an end to this policy of taxed roads."

ENDS

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