Council to carefully consider Transit's Western Ring Route tolling proposal

12 October, 2006

North Shore City Council will carefully consider the impact of Transit New Zealand's proposal to toll the Western Ring Route, in particular the effect on local roads and residents.

A report to council's Infrastructure and Environment Committee meeting in November will also assess the economic and social impacts of the tolling proposal, before North Shore City makes a formal submission to Transit.

Mayor George Wood says the council wants to assess how tolling will impact on the maintenance costs and operation of alternative routes for local councils.

"If the tolling proposal is adopted, the location of any electronic tolling points needs to be carefully thought through so they don't disadvantage Greenhithe residents going about their day-to-day business," said Mayor Wood.

"Transit also needs to note that the section of the highway through the Greenhithe valley has already been paid for through petrol tax and road user charges.

"Another issue that needs to be considered is that North Shore and Waitakere motorists using this section of existing highway could be tolled many years before the completion of the Western Ring Route. Workers travelling to and from the booming Albany Basin would be economically disadvantaged."

ENDS

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