Wednesday, 6 June 2007

Dunne: Coastal highway group past use-by date

United Future leader and Ohariu-Belmont MP Peter Dunne has dismissed as "sad and pathetic" the announcement by the Coastal Highway Group that they are reforming to fight for the Coastal highway option over Transmission Gully.

"This is no more than a small group of yesterday's men, making a last gasp stand on yesterday's issue, based not on the best interests of the Wellington region, but their own self-interest.

"The Wellington region said clearly last year that it overwhelmingly preferred Transmission Gully to the Coastal Highway and the geotechnical work is already underway and due for completion by the end of this year.

"The confidence and supply agreement between United Future and Labour has made this possible, and Budget announcements both this year and last year confirm the government's commitment to ensuring the development of the appropriate funding package once final costs are known.

"The attempt to breathe life into the failed Coastal Highway project at this stage is too late and no more than a sad and pathetic diversion, which should just be ignored completely," he says.

ENDS

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