Ring Fence Funding For Transmission Gully Motorway

Porirua City Mayor Nick Leggett is asking the government to ring-fence the "economically critical" Transmission Gully project before undertaking any review of national infrastructure priorities in light of the Christchurch rebuilding.

Mayor Leggett has written to Transport Minister Stephen Joyce urging him to decisively quash rumours that Transmission Gully may be delayed or partially defunded in order to direct resources to the rebuilding effort in Canterbury.

"Every New Zealander supports the government's determination to rebuild Christchurch and alleviate the many burdens that confront the victims of the horrific quake. I am seeking your assurance that the government will not discard other key economic priorities in the process. In the Wellington region, the entire airport-Levin arterial plan is the highest priority of all."

The Mayor also reiterated to the Minister the importance of Transmission Gully in providing a much needed alternative access out of the Wellington region and the regional resilience that this builds.

"Part of the route is a particularly important gateway to Wellington, Hutt Valley and Porirua and would be crucial in the event of a major disaster and key to improved access during a recovery."

He singled out the proposed Petone to Grenada link, expected to cost $250 million, as a project that could be deferred.

"The Petone-Grenada link is neither as urgent nor as economically critical as Transmission Gully. The link from SH1 to the Hutt Valley can be adequately covered on the current SH58 at Haywards, which could be enhanced at a much lower cost. The deferral or cancellation of this project would be a far preferable target for cost-cutting as the Government seeks ways to divert funds to Christchurch."

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