Rt Hon Winston Peters
New Zealand First Leader
Member of Parliament for Northland
10 JANUARY 2017
Government’s Inaction Over Dusty Roads Shameful
The government’s lack of concern for Northland has turned rural roads into unhealthy dustbowls that can no longer be
ignored, says New Zealand First Leader and Northland Member of Parliament, Rt Hon Winston Peters.
“The roadblocks set up around the region this week show just how desperate people are to get their concerns known.
“Ever since 2009 when the government took money out of rural roads and channelled it into Roads of National
Significance, Northland’s rural roads have been left to deteriorate alarmingly.
“Every time a truck goes down one of these roads clouds of dust present a serious health risk and some of these roads
have up to 80 log truck movements a day.
“The Whangarei District Council has applied for NZ Transport Agency funding to seal parts of the worst-affected roads,
but it’s up to the government to step in and provide money immediately to address this serious problem,” Mr Peters says.
ENDS