Northland Demands Motorway Completion

Thursday 4 Sep 2003 Dr Muriel Newman Press Releases -- Other

ACT New Zealand Northland-based MP Dr Muriel Newman today tabled in Parliament her petition for the completion of the Northern Motorway, supported by 4,060 signatories and 121 electronic email supporters.

"I only hope my petition will be a catalyst to reinforce to the Labour Government the importance of completing this major part of New Zealand's roading infrastructure," Dr Newman said.

"One of New Zealand's major highways, the Northern Motorway stops short in the middle of an Orewa paddock, from where traffic flows through a residential area to link with a dangerous stretch of State Highway One. This is completely unacceptable.

"Answers to my written Parliamentary Questions have revealed that, over the past five years, there have been almost 400 motor accidents on this road - nine of which have resulted in fatalities.

"Not only is failure to complete this project risking lives, but it is proving a serious drain on the New Zealand economy, costing around $1 million every week it is delayed. With this sort of impact, it makes sense to complete the motorway as soon as possible.

"Now that all the resource consents are through, there is nothing standing in the way of the Government fulfilling its promise, to the people of this region, that this project would be completed as an urgent priority.

"I hope that the Select Committee this petition is referred to will conduct an in-depth inquiry into this issue. It must recommend to Government that the Northern Motorway be completed as its highest 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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