Poor Infrastructure Decision, National Running On Empty

The debacle surrounding the Marsden Point refinery gas pipeline is totally unacceptable in a first world nation. Where was plan B from the National led Government?

"'There was none, sound advice ignored, leading to major air travel disruption's at our largest airport, Auckland", says Albie Barr Chairman of the Northland branch of the Rail & Maritime Transport Union.

A proper integrated transport strategy would have seen no disruption if the port rail link to Marsden point had been built, and was in operation. Fuel use to be widely hauled by train in this nation, it is safer, proven worldwide.

In a panic to keep planes flying the 'risky option of trucking' highly flammable aviation fuel 140 km to the airport is being used. "It should have been a simple case of rail freighting it to Auckland and transferring from there", said Barr.

The irony of this failure, is another failure. The line speed between Auckland & Whangarei has been dropped to 50 kph for freight trains. The line is deemed too unsafe to maintain a higher speed. This comes hard on the back of the news passenger trains are banned by the operator from travelling the route, too dangerous for the public.

After 9 years in government there is no future vision of a truly integrated transport strategy from National, 'we have had enough', they are tired, they are spent, their running on empty, we would rather here let's do this!

ENDS

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