29 Oct 2008

Wellington transport plan draws flak

8:42 am on 29 October 2008

Opponents of a contentious transport transport plan for Wellington that includes building a Basin Reserve flyover are worried about extra spending during times of economic turmoil.

The plan for the corridor of State Highway 1 from Ngauranga to Wellington airport includes the $33 million flyover as well as extra tunnels at Mount Victoria and The Terrace.

Wellington city councillor Iona Pannett says it is ludicrous to commit to a "roading spending spree" when the world faces an economic crisis and should be reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Ms Pannett says the plan is heavily weighted towards building roads instead of public transport.

She says the Basin Reserve flyover in particular is a very destructive and expensive project, and possible alternatives have not been properly investigated.

Ms Pannet says she will lead a campaign to stop the flyover going ahead.

But the Wellington Chamber of Commerce says developing the city's transport infrastructure is even more crucial given the uncertain economic climate.

The blueprint was approved by Wellington Regional Council on Tuesday.

The chamber's chief executive, Charles Finny, says the economic crisis provides all the more reason to push ahead with developing solutions because big infrastructure projects stimulate the economy and improves its efficiency and productivity.