National Party Commits to Penlink

The National Party has announced it is committed to building the Weiti River crossing, commonly know as Penlink, within 10 years of becoming government.

The crossing, considered crucial to the continuing development and economic growth of Whangaparaoa and Silverdale communities, will provide a much-needed second access option on and off the Whangaparaoa Peninsula.

National will ensure that the project is included in šTransit’s 10-Year Roading Plan.

The announcement, which follows hard on a flying visit to Wellington by Rodney’s Mayor John Law and Councillor Bill Smith to discuss the issue, was today confirmed in an email to šMr Law from National’s Shadow Minister for Transport Maurice Williamson.

The email stated that National reiterated the party’s commitment, made during the 2005 election, that the Penlink project is to be completed within 10 years. It describes the project as vitally important to economic development of the district.

Mr Williamson, who along National’s leader Don Brash and local National MP Lockwood Smith, will be in Warkworth šon Monday 10th April for a public meeting on transport issues, said representations made by the Rodney team in support of Penlink were compelling.

“Here we have one of the fastest growth areas in New Zealand, yet the infrastructure has been allowed to lag behind by the present government. If they don’t intend to do anything about, we will.”

Mayor John Law is “ecstatic” over National’s announcement. “We have the first ‘guarantee’ received from either of the two major parties to complete the project within a definable period.

“The ten years National is quoting encompasses at least three general elections, so our chances of getting Penlink have never been better,” says Mr Law.

The mayor says he will now be using the visit to the district by Don Brash and Maurice Williamson to discuss other Rodney roading issues.

ENDS.

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