Time To Get Real About Roading, Labour
ACT New Zealand Wellington-based MP Heather Roy today accused Prime Minister Helen Clark of being dangerously
short-sighted, in light of her comments that the weekend's appalling weather was a rare event and no reason to build
Transmission Gully early.
"Of course this was a rare event - so too would be the major earthquake, expected within the next 50 years, that leaves
Wellington completely cut off from outside aid. Perhaps Ms Clark would rather wait until natural disasters occur every
week before she admits that we need Transmission Gully," Mrs Roy said.
"It is completely unacceptable for our capital city to have only one main arterial route. ACT knows this, the public
knows this - even United Future Leader Peter Dunne knows this. Yet Ms Clark will not make the decision `on the back of
one event'. But one event is all it takes.
"I am calling on the Prime Minister and her Labour Government to open their eyes. If all the money that Labour takes
from motorists - to `fund roading' - was actually used to service and build new roads, Transmission Gully could be built
tomorrow. My own canvassing of Northern Wellingtonians shows that most are willing to pay a toll, if that is what it
takes.
"Cost is always used as an excuse for Transmission Gully slipping down the list of Transit New Zealand's priorities.
The Government must show some leadership, spend taxpayers' money where they say it will be spent - and ensure that
Wellingtonians have access to vital services when they need it. Labour must not wait until it is too late," Mrs Roy
said.