A group opposed to a new flyover around Wellington's Basin Reserve says the Transport Agency is trying to buy off Wellington City Council with a new cricket pavilion and stand.
The $500 million flyover, which would pass within 60 metres of the reserve, is intended to relieve a traffic bottleneck between the central city and the airport
Save the Basin Reserve Campaign convenor Kent Duston says the agency is trying to buy the council's support by paying for a new cricket pavilion, which he says will cost $11 million.
The Transport Agency says the pavilion will mitigate the impact of the road by blocking the flyover from view, while increasing the number of seats and bringing the facilities up to international cricketing standards.
The councillor responsible for the Basin Reserve, and former cricketer, John Morrison, says he would prefer the flyover was not built. But he says given that is not an option, he is happy with getting a new pavilion.
He says a pavilion would mitigate the flyover's impact, and says it would also help to increase the number of seats and bring facilities up to international cricketing standards.
Public submissions on the proposed flyover close on 26 August.
