Proposed Waterview motorway a waste of money – expert

The government’s proposed Waterview motorway in Auckland will be a waste of money, regardless of how much it costs, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson said today: “For the last five decades governments have been building motorways in order to solve Auckland’s traffic congestion, yet the congestion has only become worse. Auckland doesn’t need more roads, it needs a decent mass transit system that gets cars off roads during peak times."

“Cars are the perfect form of transport for empty roads and the worst form of transport for busy roads, and Auckland’s roads are always busy at peak times. Wasted car trips also worsen the country’s trade deficit as we import more cars and more oil to power them.”

“The government's road builders clearly believe in a 1950s dream world where endless suburbs are linked by endless motorways filled with happy car drivers. The harsh reality around the planet is unstable oil prices, climate change, and endless frustrating traffic jams.”

"History has shown that new roads rarely solve traffic congestion for very long. At best they move the congestion somewhere else. As things stand, the Waterview motorway will cost billions of dollars, yet it won't solve the basic problem."

"If the Waterview motorway money went into an overhead railway instead, then Auckland could solve its mass transport needs in five years."

Matthew-Wilson added that car-pooling was a far more efficient way of solving Auckland’s immediate gridlock.

“Carpool lanes are highly effective and cost peanuts. You could halve the cars on Auckland’s motorways if friends shared a ride to work. It’s not rocket science, just common sense.”

ENDS

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