Wellington Business Urges City Council Not to Put Transport Funding at Risk

The Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce has combined with Centreport and Wellington International Airport to urge Wellington City Council not to put government transport funding at risk ahead of the council’s extraordinary meeting tomorrow (Wednesday).

The meeting is being held in response to a request from the New Zealand Transport Agency that the Council reiterate its support for the Ngauranga to Wellington Airport Corridor Plan.

“It is crucial that the proposed investment between Ngauranga Gorge and the Airport goes ahead,” said Chamber CEO Ken Harris.

“This investment is needed to reduce inner city congestion and to improve links to CentrePort and Wellington International Airport as well as between the CBD and other centres.

“The Chamber has long argued for the need to make this Plan a reality. It includes a balanced mix of roading and passenger transport investment as well as the duplication of tunnels and measures to address the congestion around the Basin Reserve.

“Freight volumes are expected to increase 70% by 2030. This combined with projected population growth and growing visitor numbers means that infrastructure needs to be in place to meet the increased demand.

“Roading investment does not have to be at the expense of passenger transport and other transport modes. As well as supporting investment in roads, the Chamber is a strong advocate of a well developed public transport system but it is important to remember that passenger transport also uses roads.

“Wellington City Council consultation in 2008 found strong community support for the proposed investment (see link below).

“It would be a serious set back for Wellington if government funding for this corridor was lost at this point. It is essential that NZTA be given certainty on this issue and that the council puts the needs of the city to the fore when it meets to discuss this issue tomorrow,” Mr Harris concluded.

ENDS

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