Flyover Decision Devastating - Mayor Nick Leggett

The decision not to proceed with the Basin Reserve flyover is devastating for the Wellington region and is a classic example of why "some form of local government amalgamation needs to happen," says Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett.

"I've noticed some politicians already rejoicing at this backward decision and some others looking to re-allocate the $90 million to their own parochial projects. There still needs to be a future proofed solution at the Basin. This is about an efficient economic highway between Wellington airport and the Manawatu/Rangitikei which in reality is a conduit for prosperity for the lower North Island."

Nick Leggett says that easy access to Wellington Airport and hospital is vital to Porirua residents, not to mention those on the Kapiti Coast and the Hutt Valley.

"There has been very little ability for other councils in the region to have a formal say on this issue, but this is about connection to vital regional amenities for half a million people within the region. This issue demonstrates to me why Wellington needs to be one council."

Nick Leggett says this was another project in the economic highway that linked to Transmission Gully, Petone to Grenada and the Kapiti Expressway and that "you can't separate them out."

"What worries me is that unless there is a fast, agreed and affordable solution to separate local and regional traffic at the Basin, the business case for the Wellington Airport extension could well fall short and this would be another disaster for us."

ENDS

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