August 1, 2011

The Canterbury Regional Transport Committee has adopted a draft 30 year Canterbury Regional Land Transport Strategy (RLTS) for consultation.

Committee Chair and Environment Canterbury Commissioner Rex Williams said the strategy focuses on providing realistic choices over time for people and businesses about how and where they travel.

“We need to ensure that Canterbury has an affordable, integrated, safe, resilient and sustainable transport system that moves people and goods where they want to go, without adding unnecessary costs to workers and businesses.

“There are many challenges facing the region over the next 30 years. We will see demographic and technological changes that will provide both challenges and opportunities. It is important that we have a strategic direction to deal with these.

“The draft strategy is focused on achieving government objectives and regional outcomes for the transport system of the future. We are keen to hear what the public thinks,” he said.

It outlines a strategy for the period 2012 to 2042 and seeks a transition over time towards a transport system that gives people greater choice, supported by land use patterns that make transport accessible and affordable.

The vision is supported by objectives to assist economic development, promote public health, increase transport safety for all users and improve levels of accessibility for all.

Commissioner Williams said Canterbury’s earthquakes and aftershocks have brought into focus the need for a robust transport strategy with the appropriate contingencies built in.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) will be consulting on their Recovery Strategy at the same time.

“The timing of both these consultations provides a great opportunity to ensure transport plays a key role in the economic and social recovery of Greater Christchurch as well as the wider performance of Canterbury as a region into the future,” said Commissioner Williams.

“Working closely with the CERA, local councils and the New Zealand Transport Agency we can ensure that the final transport strategy is fit for purpose across Canterbury and is aligned with the milestones set out in the Earthquake Recovery Strategy.

“The decisions we make now will affect the lives of future generations. We need to choose wisely and we need the people of Canterbury to give voice to the choices they want to see made,” he said.

Development of the strategy is being led by the Canterbury Regional Transport Committee - a committee that brings together representatives from Environment Canterbury, the New Zealand Transport Agency and city and district councils in the region.

The committee met today in Rolleston http://ecan.govt.nz/news-and-notices/minutes/pages/regional-transport-committee-meeting-1-8-11.aspx and the strategy opens for consultation from August 20, 2011.

ENDS

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