News release 8 July 2004

Western Corridor Review has started

The Western Corridor transport planning review covering the area from Peka Peka in the north to Ngauraunga Gorge in the south has kicked off.

The review, led by Greater Wellington Regional Council in partnership with Transit New Zealand, comprises Greater Wellington Regional Councillor and Chair of the Regional Land Transport Committee Terry McDavitt, a member of the Transit New Zealand Board, and the Mayors of both Porirua City and Kapiti District Council. Regional Territorial Authorities and Transfund New Zealand will be involved in the technical work associated with the review.

Cr McDavitt says the review will involve the consideration of a full range of transport options including Transmission Gully.

“Recent studies show that the benefits of Transmission Gully outweigh its current costs making it a viable option and hence it remains one of the range of possible options which need to be considered.”

Cr McDavitt says the outcome of the review will be a sequential transport plan encompassing rail, road, travel demand management as well as future land use options. Consultants are being hired to under take the bulk of the work including the various community consultation phases required under new transport legislation.

“The review will provide a package of short, medium and long term plans so the community can see what improvements are proposed on an on-going basis. We are proposing the public will be involved at least twice during the review process.

“In the first instance the public will be asked for their ideas on what the issues and options are for the Western Corridor project. Public submissions will also be sought at a later date on the proposed implementation programme.”

ENDS

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