9 April 2018
Government must commit to Horowhenua Expressway
Otaki MP Nathan Guy is holding a public meeting tomorrow night so residents concerned about the potential scrapping of
the Otaki to Levin road upgrade can have their voices heard.
Mr Guy will be joined by National Party leader Simon Bridges to speak to locals and advise how best they can fight to
have this section of the Horowhenua Expressway completed.
“The Otaki-Levin section of this Road of National Significance has apparently been shelved but the Minister of Transport
seems to be saying two different things so, really, the future is as clear as mud.
“On Monday Phil Twyford said this Road of National Significance would be fully completed but that seems to contradict
NZTA’s position that it’s still under investigation.
“When you have media writing stories about the information merry-go-round between the Minister’s office and NZTA, that’s
got to be embarrassing.
“This Government simply must put its ideological dislike of roads aside and focus on the issues that matter. Local
residents spend far too long stuck in gridlocks that are choking productivity and economic growth.
“Over and above that though, is the issue of safety. This section should be a priority because it has claimed 11 lives
in the last five years and seriously injured 43 motorists.
“The Associate Minister of Transport, Julie Anne Genter should sit up and take notice of that.
“If she really wanted to put her money where her mouth is, she should be using her influence within the Coalition to
ensure road safety is the priority that she says it is, instead of being rolled by Grant Robertson and his
over-committed Budget.
“I invite anyone with an interest in the completion of this project to come along and let us know their thoughts. We’ll
do our best to help with ways and means to apply pressure on the Government and hold it accountable to its so-called
commitment to the regions,” Mr Guy says.
The public meeting will take place at the Te Takere Library, 10 Bath Street, Levin at 7pm Tuesday 10 April.
ends