CBC Saddened By Decision To Fund Inner-City Bypass
Campaign for a Better City was upset to learn that Transfund granted construction funding to the Wellington Inner-City
Bypass at its board meeting on Monday 3 May.
"We are extremely disappointed by this decision" said CBC spokesperson, Caro Henckels. "Transfund has failed to abide by
its objective - to allocate resources is a way that contributes to a safe and sustainable transport system - and is in
clear breach of the Land Transport Management Act."
"Transfund has failed to take the needs of all road users into account, and has simply acted as a rubber-stamp for
roading."
"In particular, Transfund has not fulfilled its requirements to ensure environmental sustainability and the protection
of public health. Transit's funding application for the project did not adequately address either of these two issues."
"Transfund has opened itself up to a judicial review of the decision. We are confident that a court would find in favour
of the applicant and find fatal flaws in Transfund's decision-making process" said Ms Henckels.
"This 'dinosaur' of a road will have negligible benefits, which will dissipate within a few years as more and more
traffic comes into the city."
"Even Transit never claimed that this road would improve travelling times to the airport and hospital, and they admit
that all they can do is move the congestion point to the Basin Reserve" said Ms Henckels.
"The Land Transport Management Act is a farce. We are completely disenchanted by the failure of these government
agencies to follow the requirements of the new legislation."
"We have exhausted all of our legal avenues. The community is mobilising to prevent the destruction of the historic Te
Aro area. This is only the start of a direct action campaign to obstruct the construction of this road" said Ms
Henckels.
ENDS