5 Mar 2013

Opponents determined to stop Kapiti expressway

3:09 pm on 5 March 2013

Opponents of the $650 million Kapiti Coast expressway say they are shocked it has been given the go-ahead and are vowing to fight to stop it.

The 16km road linking MacKays Crossing to Peka Peka to ease congestion on State Highway 1 has been granted draft resource consent by an independent board of inquiry.

The draft consent has many conditions attached, including mitigation measures such as planting more trees to reduce environmental effects.

However, the Save Kapiti group does not believe the impact of a four-lane expressway can be mitigated.

Kapiti District Council and the Chamber of Commerce say the go-ahead gives the region certainty.

A final decision on the consent is due next month and the Transport Agency says construction is likely to start in July this year.

A new road for the Kapiti Coast has been in the planning since the 1950s.