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Draft Canterbury Transport Strategy opens for submissions

Published: Fri 19 Aug 2011 12:07 PM
August 19, 2011
Draft Canterbury Transport Strategy opens for submissions August 20
The Canterbury Regional Transport Committee’s draft 30 year Canterbury Regional Land Transport Strategy (RLTS) is open for public submissions from this weekend, August 20. The closing date for submissions is Friday, September 23.
Committee Chair and Environment Canterbury Commissioner Rex Williams said the strategy focuses on providing realistic choices over time for people and businesses about how and where they travel across the region. It does not include the kind of detail on proposed transport systems outlined in the Christchurch Central City Plan, released last week.
The regional strategy is at a broader and more generic level for the whole region.
It is a statutory document which aims to ensure that Canterbury people have an affordable, integrated, safe, resilient and sustainable transport system. Objectives to achieve this include improving accessibility to various forms of transport, assisting economic development, promoting and protecting public health, increasing safety and ensuring the transport system will be resilient and environmentally sustainable.
“The transport system should move people and goods where they want to go, without adding unnecessary costs to workers and businesses,” said Rex Williams.
“There are many challenges facing the region over the next 30 years. We will see demographic and technological changes that will provide both challenges and opportunities. It is important that we have a strategic direction to deal with these.
“The draft strategy is focused on achieving government objectives and regional outcomes for the transport system of the future. We are keen to hear what the public thinks,” he said.
It outlines a strategy for the period 2012 to 2042 and seeks a transition over time towards a transport system that gives people greater choice, supported by land use patterns that make transport accessible and affordable.
Commissioner Williams said Canterbury’s earthquakes and aftershocks have brought into focus the need for a robust transport strategy with the appropriate contingencies built in.
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) will be consulting on their Recovery Strategy, covering Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri Council areas, from September 10.
“The timing of these consultations provides an opportunity to ensure transport plays a key role in the economic and social recovery of Greater Christchurch as well as the wider performance of Canterbury as a region into the future,” said Commissioner Williams.
“Working closely with local councils, the New Zealand Transport Agency and CERA we can ensure that the final transport strategy is fit for purpose across Canterbury and is aligned with the milestones set out in the Earthquake Recovery Strategy.
The Draft Regional Land Transport Strategy 2012-2042 has been prepared by the Canterbury Regional Transport Committee - which brings together representatives from Environment Canterbury, the New Zealand Transport Agency, city and district councils and community representatives in the region.
ENDS

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