Dunne says nothing less than Transmission Gully will do

United Future leader, Peter Dunne, says there will be no progress on resolving Wellington’s roading problems until the region bites the bullet and commits to building the Transmission Gully Highway.

He told a breakfast meeting in Wellington this morning that the capital city needed a second northern access way alongside the existing State Highway One.

“The game-playing has to stop, and Wellington has to get serious about Transmission Gully and the Centennial Highway.

“Making Centennial Highway four lanes is a temporary expedient only, even if it could get through the planning hoops.

“Transmission Gully is the only feasible long term option, and we do not need to wait around for more studies to prove it.

“The more there is delay, the more uncertainty is created, and the more innocent lives will be lost,” he said.

Mr Dunne said the Government is talking with the Regional Council and the Mayoral Forum right now about a regional transport funding package.

“Apparently, announcements are likely before Christmas on broad details of the package, and it will be put forward on a “take it or leave it” basis.

“At the same time, the Regional Council has commissioned yet another study – this time the Western Corridor study, due for release around April – and is expecting people to commit in advance to supporting its findings, whatever they are.

“All that means is that if Transmission Gully is not the favoured option, our regional leaders will capitulate in favour of second best, just to get the money.

“This is unreasonable and unacceptable to the people of Wellington who are being asked to buy a pig in a poke.

“Every study of Wellingtonians’ views shows that apart from the quirky views of the elderly gentlemen in the Coastal Highway Group, everyone else wants Transmission Gully to go ahead.

“The Regional Council and the Mayors have no mandate to negotiate this away – their obligation is to stop the prevarication, and the endless studies, and tell the Government that the only acceptable option for Wellington on State Highway One is Transmission Gully.

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