‘Motorway Mess Must be Better Managed’ says Waitakere Council Candidate Christine Rose

‘The management of North-Western motorway works is a mess night and day, and something has to change’ says Waitakere Ward Councillor Candidate Christine Rose.

Drivers on the North-Western Motorway between Brighams Creek and Te Atatu faced hours of delays this morning due to signage that was either absent or inadequate while work was being done to repair a road crack near Lincoln Road. Traffic was reduced to one lane, as traffic poured onto the Motorway and was left with nowhere to go. Mrs Rose, former Transport Chair of the Auckland Regional Council, says delay-related costs were massive as commercial traffic was caught up in a traffic jam stretching many kilometres, and many thousands of everyday travellers had their plans disrupted, due entirely to incompetence.

Mrs Rose notes that the motorway restrictions were advertised on the NZ Herald website “but that is inadequate, as motorists have no idea they should consult the media before setting out to travel”.

Mrs Rose says NZTA needs to start behaving like a professional organisation, as commuters face years of traffic disruption for SH16 motorway widening, leading to daily backlogs on nearby streets stretching as far back as Glendene, Henderson and Massey.

“This problem persists even at night as work around the clock is badly managed.” “Sure, the work needs to be done, but detours are poorly signposted, apparently as an afterthought, meaning that many drivers along Te Atatu Road don’t realise motorway offramp access is blocked until they reach the exit, whereupon they’re forced to turn around and return to Great North Road to head West. This is way below par on the part of NZTA and should never happen in any properly managed body. “

Christine Rose says NZTA needs to start taking some responsibility for its effect on drivers and the Auckland economy, to avoid frustration, congestion, and economic, social and environmental costs.

“People want to be home with their families or be able to get to work and to appointments on time, and not stuck in unnecessary traffic jams. With years to go in the motorway widening projects, NZTA needs to up its game now.”

ENDS

Background Info

Christine Rose is standing as Councillor representing Waitakere on the Auckland Council.

Christine Rose is a proven advocate for the West. She has 15 years local & regional government experience, including six years on the Auckland Regional Council with Mike Lee and Sandra Coney, current Auckland Councillors who fully endorse her for the Waitakere Ward Council position. Christine was Deputy Chair of the Council for a term, Chair of the Regional Transport Committee and Deputy Chair of Parks and Heritage. Christine supports more affordable and efficient transport given the West faces years of congestion on the NorthWestern Motorway & increasing travel costs. As West Auckland continues to grow, local parks, sportsfields, swimming pools and other facilities need to be provided while keeping Council costs down. Christine wants to see better control of ‘Council Controlled Organisations’, and a solution to the Ports of Auckland dispute. She supports affordable, good quality, well designed, energy efficient housing. Christine is concerned about growing poverty, and youth unemployment, and supports local clean jobs and businesses, and a Living Wage for workers. Christine supports arts and heritage and is a well-known environmentalist.

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