Time To Get Real About Roading, Labour

ACT New Zealand Wellington-based MP Heather Roy today accused Prime Minister Helen Clark of being dangerously short-sighted, in light of her comments that the weekend's appalling weather was a rare event and no reason to build Transmission Gully early.

"Of course this was a rare event - so too would be the major earthquake, expected within the next 50 years, that leaves Wellington completely cut off from outside aid. Perhaps Ms Clark would rather wait until natural disasters occur every week before she admits that we need Transmission Gully," Mrs Roy said.

"It is completely unacceptable for our capital city to have only one main arterial route. ACT knows this, the public knows this - even United Future Leader Peter Dunne knows this. Yet Ms Clark will not make the decision `on the back of one event'. But one event is all it takes.

"I am calling on the Prime Minister and her Labour Government to open their eyes. If all the money that Labour takes from motorists - to `fund roading' - was actually used to service and build new roads, Transmission Gully could be built tomorrow. My own canvassing of Northern Wellingtonians shows that most are willing to pay a toll, if that is what it takes.

"Cost is always used as an excuse for Transmission Gully slipping down the list of Transit New Zealand's priorities. The Government must show some leadership, spend taxpayers' money where they say it will be spent - and ensure that Wellingtonians have access to vital services when they need it. Labour must not wait until it is too late," Mrs Roy said.

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