Media release
Thursday, January 27, 2005

Wellington transport package 'excellent first step'

Ohariu-Belmont MP and United Future leader Peter Dunne has welcomed today's announcement by the Government of an extra $225 million over the next decade for land transport in the Wellington region.

"This is the first of several giant strides the region will need to make to ensure people and goods can be economically and efficiently moved around the Horowhenua-Kapiti-Wairarapa-Wellington region to further increase the prosperity and enjoyment of the region's transport users and the nation as a whole," he said.

"The extra money announced today will fund significant improvements in the region's rail services and some essential roading improvements.

"This is particularly good news for commuters on the Johnsonville and Melling lines.

"However this is just the first step. When the Western Corridor study being undertaken by the Regional Council and Transit NZ reports back next April, I have no doubt it will lead to the commitment of many hundreds of millions of dollars more from the Government to bringing our area's transport infrastructure into the 21st century.

"And the centrepiece of that improvement must be the construction of the Transmission Gully motorway," said Mr Dunne.

"With every flood, every landslide, every car crash and every traffic death on the coastal highway, the need for the Gully project grows ever more pressing.

"Four-laning Centennial Highway at almost $700 million will have little impact on the traffic snarl-ups but $800 million on Transmission Gully is a far better investment.

"Today's announcement is just the first step on a not-too-long journey to see Transmission Gully become a reality," said Mr Dunne.

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