18 Aug 2008

Council hears submissions on flyover near Basin Reserve

2:35 pm on 18 August 2008

A controversial road past the fourth-oldest cricket test match venue in the world is being considered by the Greater Wellington Regional Council on Monday.

The $33 million flyover, which would skirt the northern end of the Basin Reserve, is designed to end traffic congestion around the venue.

Wellington councillor Iona Pannett says the idea is appalling and cricket fans should be upset.

But Basin Reserve trustee John Morrison says plans for a new stand in front of the flyover will significantly reduce any adverse effects.

The City Council's director of urban development and transport, Ernst Zollner, says for the flyover to work it must be attractive.

He says the council is treating it as a urban design project, rather than an engineering one, and the public will be consulted.

That process begins on Monday when the Regional Council begins hearing some of the 558 submissions on the Ngauranga to Airport draft corridor plan.