Green Bill: Red Light For All Road Users

Media release
13 October 2003
Green Bill: red light for all road users

The Land Transport Management Bill reported back from select committee is still bad news for all road users, says Business NZ.

Chief Executive Simon Carlaw says the Bill will ensure that even more will be siphoned off from road users for purposes other than improving road safety and lessening congestion.

"Everyone except the Greens knows that roads are the heart of the transport system; even buses and railway networks need them. New Zealand desperately needs to build new and better roads that are safer and go where people want to go, for their kids, for business, for shopping or travel.

"Half-hearted references to efficiency, some tweaking of the consultation requirements that will still stall at the RMA, and unattractive provisions for tolling or private-public partnerships will not produce the necessary investment.

"Nor will these changes prevent road users from paying for a raft of Green dreams, coastal shipping subsidies or a worn-out railway network. Local government will now be able to directly compete with private operators of passenger transport.

"The Bill simply needs to be changed. The Prime Minister knows that good roading is critical to her growth goals. She should take this legislation back off the Greens and put it right."

ENDS

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