News release
27 April, 2006

GWRC accepts Western Corridor Plan

The proposed Western Corridor Plan was today accepted by Greater Wellington Regional Council as part of the Regional Land Transport Strategy. The Council’s decision means that the projects in the Western Corridor Plan, including improvements to rail services, the Western Link Road and construction of the Transmission Gully Motorway will now become part of the draft Regional Strategy, and can be considered for funding and construction.

Councillor Terry McDavitt, the Chair of the Regional Land Transport Committee said that this decision was very significant because it marked the end of the process of developing a strategy and the start of the process of getting it done.

“This decision means that any upgrade of the coastal route is now out of the picture. It also means that important public transport and road projects can now go forward and be considered for funding and construction.”

During the debate a number of councillors said that their support for the plan was dependent on the rapid upgrading of public transport and rail services on the Western Corridor.

Councillor Glen Evans said that increasing the capacity, frequency and resilience of rail services was an essential before any investment in the Transmission Gully Motorway.

“I am supporting the proposed plan because it means we can start improving rail services and public transport while at the same time doing the preliminary geo-technical work on Transmission Gully. These improvements need to be in place before the scheduled start of construction of the motorway in 2011.”

Councillor Evans was supported by Councillors Judith Aitken, Peter Glensor and Chris Laidlaw.

The final vote in support of including the plan in the Regional Land Transport Strategy was unanimous.

ENDS

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