Media Statement
For immediate release
Friday, 1 July 2005

Baldock: UF integral to roading plan

United Future transport spokesman Larry Baldock today welcomed the announcement of the National Land Transport programme, congratulating a Government “that has drawn strongly on United Future’s support in increasing investment in New Zealand’s roading network”.

“We have been strongly pro-roading and backed the Government, that could otherwise have been waylaid by the Greens’ preoccupation cycle-ways, walkways, and bus lanes,” Mr Baldock said.

Public transport still plays an important part in addressing the nation’s transport problems, “but we welcome money being committed to building new highways and improving the safety of existing ones”, he said.

“With this massive spending boost, motorists are no longer being robbed - again, something that United Future has moved to rectify in this parliamentary term.”

Mr Baldock said toll roads should be acceptable in certain circumstances as they further extend the ability of Transit and local authorities to improve New Zealand’s road network.

“United Future’s influence on the Government over the last three years is in stark contrast to the negative attacks of New Zealand First and the Greens.

“Also, with the amendments to the Resource Management Act and improvements in the Environment Court over the past three years, road projects should no longer face unnecessary delays.

“With all this good news, we are still anticipating even more with further announcements due regarding the results of the Joint Officials Group study of Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty Strategic Road Network, and further funding commitments for Wellington,” he said.

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