No Excuse For Northern Motorway Delays

Monday 30 Jun 2003 Dr Muriel Newman Press Releases -- Other

ACT New Zealand Northland MP Dr Muriel Newman today called for the immediate completion of the Northern Motorway extension - from Puhoi to Orewa - in the wake of reports that Transfund New Zealand will carry forward $155 million of its budget into the next financial year.

"The completion of the Northern Motorway is easily affordable, given Transfund's current bank balance - tomorrow, I will table a petition in Parliament requesting that the project's completion be listed as Transfund's top priority," Dr Newman said.

"The current situation - where one of New Zealand's most important highways stops short in the middle of an Orewa paddock disgorging massive traffic volumes to wind through a residential area, and link to a dangerous stretch of State Highway One - is totally unacceptable.

"This is the sort of problem that one would expect to find in a Third World country, not a modern economy. It should not be allowed to remain in this state for a further five years, as is currently being mooted.

"Taxpayers have made their contribution, having forked out around $4 million to design the motorway extension and gain the required resource consents. This money must not be wasted.

"The failure to finish the Northern Motorway is costing New Zealand's economy $1 million for each and every week that it remains incomplete. With more than enough money in the road-building bank, and all resource consents approved, there are no excuses for further delays.

"I am calling on Transfund to set the wheels in motion to begin the completion of the Northern Motorway as its number one priority," Dr Newman said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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