Taranaki Regional Council media release
13 March 2009
For immediate release

Taranaki Public To Have A Say On Transport Projects

Taranaki people are being invited to have their say on a three-year, $200 million-plus programme of roading and other land transport projects in the region.

The projects are set out in the draft Regional Land Transport Programme for Taranaki 2009/2019, which is open for public consultation from 16 March to 17 April.

Prepared by the Regional Transport Committee for Taranaki, the draft programme lists all projects and activities that are proposed for the coming three years, prioritises the major projects and covers all sources of funding – national, regional and local.

“Big ticket” items which will continue to be funded are:

• The Eastern Cycleway Route (Waiwhakaiho to Bell Block).
• The Bell Block Bypass.
• The Rugby Road Underpass.
• Tangahoe Bridge widening.

New “big ticket” activities and projects for which national funding is sought include:

• The Normanby Overbridge realignment.
• Investigations into improving the Vickers Road-City corridor in New Plymouth.
• Passing lanes on the state highway network.

The Committee Chairman, Taranaki Regional Councillor Roger Maxwell, says that otherwise a “business as usual” approach is proposed over the next three years, maintaining current levels of maintenance, operation and renewals on state highways and local roads.

The draft programme also includes improvements to bus services, walking and cycling initiatives, demand management programmes and road safety programmes. And it covers all the routine work to maintain and improve local transport infrastructure.

It also includes a 10-year forecast for land transport spending.

“The programme sets out which land transport projects are the most important and the most urgent for Taranaki over the next three years,” says Cr Maxwell. “The community now has an opportunity to have a say before the programme is finalised.

“We’d particularly like to hear people’s views on transport issues and priorities for Taranaki, priorities for national funding, the emphasis given to any one type of activity compared to another, and any gaps or additional activities required.

“It’s important to note that any projects not included in the programme won’t be eligible for national funding.”

The Regional Transport Committee for Taranaki has members from the region’s four Councils, the New Zealand Transport Agency and a number of stakeholder groups. It was set up last year under new legislation.

The draft Regional Land Transport Programme 2009/2019 will be available at all Council offices and public libraries throughout the region from Monday 16 March, and will be on the Taranaki Regional Council website, www.trc.govt.nz. A summary leaflet will also be available.

The full draft includes a submissions form and instructions. Submissions can also be made online at www.trc.govt.nz from Monday.

ENDS

© Scoop Media