Media Release
Wellington Employers' Chamber of Commerce

18 December 2012

Council Urged not to Jeopardise Basin Reserve Roading Improvements

The Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce has urged Wellington City Council not to jeopardise government transport funding when it considers the proposed Basin Reserve Flyover at tomorrow’s (Wednesday’s) extraordinary meeting.

“Business strongly supports the roading improvements at the Basin Reserve. The investment is necessary as a means of alleviating a major congestion point in the city's traffic”, said Chamber President Richard Stone.

"The proposed roading improvements will bring significant economic benefits to Wellington from increased transport efficiencies and quicker journey times. There will also be environmental benefits through reduced emissions.

“It is disappointing a tunnel has been ruled out but we have to accept the experts’ advice that - in contrast to the section of road to run beneath the new Memorial Park which we support - this option is not feasible. The important thing now is to minimise the visual impact of the flyover, as NZTA has said it would do, and get on with it.

“It would be a serious setback for Wellington if government funding for this corridor was lost at this point. Now is not the time for political point scoring. The council must put the needs of the city to the fore when it meets to discuss this issue tomorrow,” Mr Stone concluded.

ends

© Scoop Media