AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

15 March 2007

Committee endorses $1.5 billion transport proposal

A $1.5 billion proposal to improve transport in Auckland eastern suburbs was endorsed by Auckland City Council’s Transport and Urban Linkages Committee at its meeting yesterday.

The committee agrees with the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) proposal that recommends a package of transport solutions to unlock the economic potential for the fastest growing area of Auckland.

AMETI proposes a step change in passenger transport investment, improved walking and cycling connections as well as new and enhanced arterial roads.

“The city’s eastern suburbs are poised for significant growth over the next 20 years,” says Councillor Richard Simpson, the chairperson for the committee.

“We need to plan and deliver a package of transport solutions to give people living and working in the city’s eastern suburbs more travel choices.

“AMETI is critical to satisfying the council’s commitments to the Regional Growth Strategy and supports the Auckland Regional Transport Authority’s (ARTA) plans for passenger transport.

“Once delivered, passenger transport use will increase by 400 per cent, 30,000 cars will be removed from the Panmure roundabout and 11,000 people will find it easier to walk and cycle during the morning peak,” says Mr Simpson.

The AMETI proposal will go before full council for approval when it next meets on Thursday, 22 March.

Consultation with the community is likely to begin in April 2007 once AMETI’s project partners, Auckland and Manukau city councils and ARTA’s board, have approved the proposal.

Ends

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