Transport plan falling apart already

National Party Leader Don Brash says the Government's transport plan is already falling apart at the seams as predicted.

"It was only a question of time before Labour's decision to enlist Green support backfired."

Dr Brash is responding to reports today that suggest pressure from the Greens is delaying key roading projects in both Auckland and Wellington.

"National offered to lay party politics aside and work with the Government to get a lasting solution for New Zealand's roading infrastructure, but Labour opted for the anti-road Green Party instead.

"That decision will cost taxpayers and ratepayers throughout the country dearly and it condemns motorists to a roading infrastructure that won't be up to scratch for decades.

"Further delays, more red tape, cumbersome consultation obligations and an ever increasing legal bill - it is only the beginning," says Dr Brash.

"In many cases it takes longer to get consents than it takes to build the road.

"National says the Government must accept that real progress on our roading infrastructure will only be made when changes are made to the Resource Management Act.

"This latest setback is proof that the Government's move to impose a new petrol tax on all New Zealanders was premature. Until there's a way to fast track the consent process, roading projects will struggle to get off the drawing board," says Dr Brash.

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