Despite the February 26 eviction deadline issued by Transit for several of their properties on the route of the proposed Te Aro bypass, the tenants of The Freedom Shop (272 Cuba St) have stayed on. They join Mike Murray, leaseholder of 289 Cuba St, in issuing a challenge to Transit over the legitimacy of the evictions.

A Freedom Shop worker, Ross Gardiner, said "Transit don't have the money to build the bypass, and they haven't even applied for funding from Transfund to do so. The roading funding package announced by the Government last Thursday (February 28) means that it is even less likely the bypass will happen." The roading funding package changes the funding criteria for roading, focussing on severe congestion points, as well as emphasising public transport and roading projects that do not induce more traffic. "And Transit still have to wait until the Historic Places Trust make their report in May before they can do anything with the threatened buildings. It seems like Transit are just holding a bloody-minded attitude towards their tenants" Mr. Gardiner concluded.

Contact: Ross Gardiner (04) 380-1613.

Freedom Shop workers will be available for further comment on the evictions and the bypass in general on Monday March 4th between 11am and 12pm at The Freedom Shop, 272 Cuba Street, Wellington.

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