Transport Minister Phil Twyford’s announcement that the Let’s Get Wellington Moving plan will not be ready until next year is yet more disappointing news to commuters, says the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

"Wellington’s transport plan was due out in August, then November, now we have to wait until early 2019," says Chief Executive John Milford.

"Delays are making people nervous about the government’s commitment to solving our transport bottlenecks."

"The government promised Auckland’s large list of transport projects wouldn’t be at Wellington’s expense. Yet Wellington is still waiting."

"Even worse, projects already in the pipeline like Petone to Grenada and the Melling interchange are being ‘reviewed’ with no guarantee they will now proceed."

"The lack of big new projects for Wellington in August’s National Land Transport Programme release already indicates we are not getting our fair share from the government despite Wellingtonians paying higher petrol taxes."

"Wellington needs new roads and public transport upgrades to deal with our expanding population, improve resilience, and boost economic growth."

"The Chamber is clear that locals must contribute to the cost of these projects, and our member surveys show they are prepared to provide funding to get construction started."

"The whole point of Get Welly Moving was to seat everyone around the table to agree on what needs to be built next over the next ten years and how to pay for it. Continual delays could undermine the consensus that has taken time and effort to build up."

"Locals want action. Stakeholders agree on the plan. Businesses are prepared to chip in. We just need local and central government politicians to get on with it and sign-off on the plan."

ENDS

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