Government Policies to Blame for Roading Crisis

"Failed government policies lie behind the current debate over Transit New Zealand's funding and diverting funds away from the rest of New Zealand to fix Auckland's traffic problems will only make matters worse said Charlie Pedersen, Vice President of Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc.).

"Shifting the money away from the rest of the country to Auckland is as much use as shifting the deck chairs on the Titanic. Currently only 55% of the money allocated by Government legislation to fund the roads ends up funding the construction and maintenance of the roading network. 45% or $1.2 Billion goes elsewhere.

"The halting of reforms and the re-regulation of the Transport sector proposed by the Government threatens the economic growth that the Prime Minister wants.

"An efficient transport sector is of vital importance to New Zealand. Contrary to the Green Party, who are promoting a return to walking, cycling and rail, growth in the speed and volume of motorised traffic has been an underlying component of the social, environmental and economic gains made in recent years. This must continue.

"The solution to Auckland's traffic problems largely lies with building more roads. Auckland had a plan for its roads that was working, however when Auckland grew faster than expected the plan was not changed. Auckland commuters are now suffering from this dithering.

"It is time the Government put aside its interventionist approach and got serious about developing a comprehensive land transport funding system that lets users choose the best transport option and allows the economy to prosper." Mr Pedersen concluded.

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