27 November 2001

Greens alarmed at shock bypass evictions

Green MP Sue Kedgley today called on Transport Minister Mark Gosche to launch an urgent inquiry after Te Aro residents were today served with eviction notices to make way for the proposed inner city bypass, before Transit has even applied for the funding to build the road.

"It is an absolute outrage that Transit is trying to evict people from their homes by January 18 next year when Transit will not even be applying for funding for this highly controversial project until the middle of January at the earliest," she said.

"Mark Gosche must immediately investigate what is going on here. These eviction notices must be recalled immediately because Transit is simply not following the proper process."

Ms Kedgley said the serving of these notices was a wake up call for all Wellingtonians.

"This project, having been successfully stalled for 40 years, is now the closest it has ever been to becoming a reality.

"The plan to demolish the most historically unique area of our city for a motorway extension is an absurd and short-sighted proposal which will only save one minute of travelling time across town," she said.

"In fact it is likely to induce more people to use their cars and will result in more traffic on our roads.

"I call on the Wellington Central MP Marian Hobbs to end her conspicuous silence on this matter and to use her influence in Government to stand up for the character and the people of Wellington and stop the bypass."

ENDS

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