For Immediate Use

30 June 2003

Campaign for a Better City, PO Box 11-964, Wellington
email: info@cbc.org.nz web-site: www.cbc.org.nz

Inner-City “Bypass” Review Welcomed

Campaign for a Better City (CBC) welcomes today’s announcement by Transit that the proposed inner-city “bypass” will be reviewed against new transport objectives.

“Our main concern is that this evaluation is truly independent and impartial” said CBC spokesperson Alan Whiting. “Transit and Transfund hold the purse strings in New Zealand and are project advocates. Exactly who does the review will be critical. We hope and expect that the review will recognise the limited benefits of this scheme and that the project will stopped permanently.”

CBC supports the new transport legislation and said checking projects such as the “bypass” against the new legislation was common sense.

“We support the New Zealand Transport Strategy and we are pleased to see it may actually have some effect” said Mr Whiting, “Without steps like this, the strategy is just fine words”

The proposed “bypass” will destroy several heritage areas and bring traffic and fumes closer to residential areas on the edge of the city.

Mr Whiting said he hoped factors like this would get proper weighting against the few seconds time savings promised by ‘bypass’ advocates. He also hoped that Transit’s desire for major roadworks at the Basin Reserve following the ‘bypass’ would count against the project.

“CBC again repeats the need for fresh thinking - if we are concerned about access to the airport or the hospital let’s tackle those directly”, said Mr Whiting. “A southbound bus lane on Adelaide Rd will do far more for hospital access than the ‘bypass’”.

The Environment Court had not yet announced any decision in respect of Archaeological Authorities for the “bypass” and any decision there is subject of possible High Court appeal by CBC or Transit.

Wellington has seen a steady decrease in the proportion of commuters arriving by car and is positioning itself as the ‘creative capital’. “The last thing Wellington needs is bulldozers through Te Aro - aside from anything else no-one seems to have given consideration to how years of major construction will affect our reputation as a progressive city.” said Mr Whiting. “The ‘bypass’ is yesterday’s project”.

Mr Whiting called on Transit and local authorities to use the review as a chance to find solutions that work for everyone. “Transit’s bypass obsession is damaging Wellington - a creative capital needs creative solutions”.

ENDS

For Campaign for a Better City Inc. contact:
Spokesperson, Alan Whiting, (04) 977 1789

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