Friday 22 June 2018

Horizons Regional Council have adopted the 2018-28 Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP), following a required three year review.

The Plan was developed with input from the region’s mayors and was approved by the Regional Transport and Regional Council committees earlier this year. Prior to its approval a consultative process was undertaken, resulting in 42 submissions which helped shape the document.

Horizons chair Bruce Gordon says a number of the strategic priorities have been amended or added to reflecting the future needs of communities regarding improved transport solutions.

“The new strategic priorities are;

• Effective and efficient road maintenance and delivery;

• Improve connectivity, resilience and the safety of strategic routes to and from key destinations linking north-south and east-west, while factoring in demographic changes and impacts on land use;

• An appropriate network of tourism routes;

• An integrated walking and cycling network; and

• Effective, efficient, accessible and affordable multi-modal transport networks.

“While the majority of the previous Plan remained fit for purpose, the 2018 review offered the opportunity to ensure the strategic direction aligns to the region’s vision for land transport,” he says.

“It has also been aligned with the soon to be released Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2018. This ensures the opportunity for maximised investment into the region’s land transport network.”

Mr Gordon says the Plan’s review also involved making sure it would be responsive to newly emerging issues and opportunities which will have future influences on the regional land transport network.

“This included the long term closure of the Manawatū Gorge, work programmes progressing the Manawatū-Whanganui Economic Action Plan and Accelerate25 Accessing Central New Zealand projects, greater investment into alternative transport modes, technological advances such as electric vehicles, and environmental outcomes such as lower carbon emissions.”

The Regional Land Transport Plan is available for download at www.horizons.govt.nz/buses-transport/transport-planning, or can be viewed at Horizons’ Palmerston North office between 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

ENDS

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