Whenuapai - Wood Shorely beat Mangere
March 23, 2006
North Shore City Mayor George Wood says an airport at Whenuapai must seem like a beautiful dream for Shore commuters
battling lengthening delays to catch their flights at Mangere.
Roadworks at Mangere bridge are further slowing traffic crawling towards the region’s international airport, says Mr
Wood, who estimates a quarter of those motorists are trekking south from north of Auckland’s harbour bridge.
A supporter of the Waitakere City-championed Whenuapai air base upgrade, George Wood says the worsening traffic
situation highlights the folly of reliance on the airport in south Auckland.
“If the Government had given the green light to a joint civilian-military airport at Whenuapai when it had the chance,
we’d at least have relief in sight.
“Whenuapai gives travel choices to more than half a million people who live within 15km of what is already a fully
functioning international airport.”
Mr Wood is calling on the government to take another look at the Whenuapai proposal which he calls an overdue monopoly
buster.
“Travel times to Mangere are getting longer and some people are being caught in traffic and not catching their flights.
“With the advent of a four-lane upper harbour motorway from North Shore City, west-bound trips to Whenuapai airport
would lessen southbound congestion through Spaghetti Junction and way down to Mangere.”
ENDS