Chamber Welcomes Progress on Transmission Gully

Media Release
11 July 2008

Wellington Chamber Welcomes Progress on Transmission Gully

The Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the latest progress on Transmission Gully and the release of the new and improved ‘preferred route’ for the proposed motorway.

“We will scrutinise the details carefully and provide feedback in due course but our initial reaction is very positive,” said Chamber CEO, Charles Finny.

“As well as providing better outcomes for the environment and for road durability, the new route is significantly cheaper to build.

“The Chamber is supportive of using a regional fuel tax to help fund the road, but we consider tolling and electronic pricing to be a better solution.

“The government should also allow the use of more private sector investment including public private partnerships (PPPs) and borrowing to fund the road.

“The Chamber will be pushing for a mix of local and national funds. Transmission Gully is an issue of national strategic importance and it should be funded as a priority from the national roading budget, not be dependent on regional funding.

“The $275 million saving on the new proposed route is substantial and it will make it harder for the motorway’s detractors to oppose it.

“The current high oil price should not be a deterrent. It is likely that technological advances will overcome the effects of high oil prices (eg electric cars) and as Wellington’s population grows, there will be increasing demand for the road,” Mr Finny concluded.

ENDS

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