30 May 2013

NZTA says criticism of roading plans misguided

9:59 am on 30 May 2013

The New Zealand Transport Agency says criticism by Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter about major roading projects is misguided.

The New Zealand Transport Agency says criticism by the Green Party about major roading projects is misguided.

Research by by Opus International Consultants for the agency says projections of traffic volumes could be overstated by as much as 40% because they don't take into account the country's changing age structure.

Julie Anne Genter.

Julie Anne Genter. Photo: GREEN PARTY

It says the future population will include a higher percentage of people over 65, who tend not to travel as often or as far as younger people.

Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter says the trend around the world is that people are getting their licences at a later age and fewer people under 30 are owning cars.

She told Radio New Zealand's Morning Report programme the Government's roads of national significance will have lower traffic levels than forecast and increased spending on public transport would be a better idea than new highways.

However NZTA strategy and performance general manager Ernst Zollner says the research also predicted a 30% increase in travel by people over 65.

Mr Zollner told Morning Report it's critical the Government fixes current road safety and congestion issues before looking too far ahead.

Last year, the Government announced it would spend most of its $12 billion transport budget on roads and state highways.