Labour Should Honour Roading Promise
Wednesday 28 Jul 2004
Dr Muriel Newman - Press Releases - Other
ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader and Northland-based MP Dr Muriel Newman today criticised Labour for forcing a toll road
onto a community that had been promised a motorway extension funded completely by Transfund New Zealand.
"North Auckland residents and motorists were promised that the completion of the Northern Motorway Alpurt project, from
Orewa to Puhoi, would be paid for from their petrol tax money. Petrol taxes have historically funded all work on State
Highway One - the country's premier highway - and Alpurt should not be an exception," Dr Newman said.
"While Labour originally reneged on the promise that the motorway completion would be a priority, once resource
consents were obtained, it has now realised that the roading shambles at Orewa is a national disgrace that cannot be
allowed to continue.
"The petition I presented to Parliament on behalf of region's people, as well as the advocacy of Northern mayors and
community leaders, has helped make the Government change its mind, see sense and re-classify the completion of this
project as an urgent priority.
"To try now to break yet more promises to the region, by forcing motorists to pay a toll for the completion of this
State Highway One project, is unacceptable. Alpurt should be a priority project for petrol tax and road user charge
funding - not separate funding by motorists," Dr Newman said.
ENDS