Maurice Williamson
National Party Transport Spokesman

8 August 2005

Greens’ traffic solution will create chaos

National’s Transport spokesman, Maurice Williamson, says the Green Party’s plan to divert money for new motorways in Auckland into public transport would lead to even more traffic chaos.

“Auckland’s transport problems are dire at the moment. The long trips to and from work would get much worse if the Greens have their way,” says Mr Williamson.

“We need to improve public transport, but first we need to get the roads working properly – and we need to do it now.

“National will spend more money on Auckland’s roads and give the western ring route our urgent attention. This package will reduce inner city traffic and increase connections between the urban arterial road network.

“Labour’s desperation to get the Greens onside could mean policies like theirs could actually come into fruition.

“A vote for Labour would effectively mean a vote for traffic jams and standstills.

“I’m surprised the Greens haven’t advocated a return to horse and carriage as our main mode of transport.

“Their refusal to address our most urgent traffic problems, along with their opposition to National’s RMA changes – which will greatly speed up transport infrastructure approval processes – will have the same effect.

“National recognises that New Zealanders’ time is far too precious to be spent stuck in traffic because of Green ideology.

“I’ve suspected for years that the Greens have been living on another planet, and this confirms it,” says Mr Williamson.

ENDS

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