Strong Interest in Auckland’s Transport Future

Hundreds of groups and individuals have taken the opportunity to have a say on Auckland’s transport future.

A total of 930 have made written submissions and 128 verbal ones on the Auckland Regional Land Transport Programme (RLTP). The RLTP 2012-2015 lists all the planned transport activities for the next three years and is used to prioritise applications for government funding through the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).

A lot of interest was shown in the City Rail Link with 180 submissions.

The large number of submissions hasn’t surprised the Mayor, “Aucklanders want us to get on and build projects like the City Rail Link which they know are needed to unclog our roads and unleash the potential of all of Auckland,” says Len Brown. “They understand that these big projects can’t be left for taxpayers and ratepayers to fund, that’s why we are investigating a host of alternative funding proposals. We’ll be releasing the details of that shortly.”

Rail electrification and the new electric trains also received a lot of feedback, with some submitters pushing for an extension of electrification to Pukekohe at an early stage.

There was also strong interest in public transport services with 250 submissions. Many were requesting specific improvements or adjustments to services in their local area. There was support for extending public transport to newly developing areas like Flat Bush and Orewa West and for extensions to the ferry network in the Upper Waitemata and Manukau Harbours.  

The AMETI project (see note) in the east of the city received 46 submissions. Comments were also received in favour of the proposed development of an east-west connection between AMETI and Onehunga.

A total of 153 submissions commented on walking and cycling, most calling for a higher level of expenditure. The completion of the regional cycling network and the Auckland Harbour Bridge Pathway project were identified by submitters as needing more money The Pathway project involves building a cycleway and pathway under the southbound Harbour Bridge     clip-on lanes.

There was also strong interest in an additional Waitemata Harbour Crossing. A number of submitters expressed a preference for a tunnel adjacent to the existing bridge. And there was also support for rail to the airport.

The RLTP Hearings Panel has made a number of recommendations to Auckland Transport regarding changes to be made to the draft programme, including investigation funding for the east-west connection, the investigation of rail electrification to Pukekohe and a new rail station south of Takanini at Glenora, a park and ride at Drury and reducing the construction period for the Albany Highway project.

ENDS

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