5 July 2005

Transmission Gully Is A Strategic Need

A Porirua City Councillor has reacted to the Mayor of Wellington's opposition to Transmission Gully.

Councillor Robert Shaw says at this moment the operate Land Transport Strategy for the Wellington Region states that Transmission Gully is the priority. Until the Regional Land Strategy Committee votes on a new strategy that is the policy.

The Mayor of Wellington should not undermine the policy that her Council developed in conjunction with other councils, said Councillor Shaw.

He said the Mayor's mantra about cost is dangerous because it places expediency ahead of strategy.

"The problems the region faces are very specific and they derive from there being but one route to the north of Wellington."

"We are now in danger of solving the wrong problem because the money is tight."

Cr Shaw continued "it is incredible that Wellington City's project to link Granada to the Hutt and open the land to the north of Wellington is now talked of as a priority roading need".

"The Granada link road was only recently thought about when there was opposition to the Belmont Link Road. The Belmont Link would have integrated Transmission Gully and the Hutt Valley. All the Granada link does is ease a short section of state highway 2 and advance Wellington's plans to develop their land to the north."

"It is incredible how over $2 million worth of research and investigation can evidently be tossed aside on a slogan" Cr Shaw added.

ENDS

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