Basin Reserve Roading Improvements Must Go Ahead

Media Release
20 December 2012

Basin Reserve Roading Improvements Must Go Ahead

It would be a serious setback for Wellington if government transport funding for the region were to be withheld as a result of the Wellington City Council’s standoff with the New Zealand Transport Agency according to the Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce.

This is the message Chamber President Richard Stone, who attended last night’s council meeting, has given to councillors.

“The Basin Reserve roading improvements must go ahead. Not only are they essential in themselves as a means of alleviating a major congestion point in the city's traffic but if they don’t go ahead efficiency of the entire network will be put at risk,” said Chamber President Richard Stone.

"Business strongly supports grade separation at the Basin Reserve. The investment will bring significant economic benefits to Wellington from increased transport efficiencies and quicker journey times. There will also be environmental benefits through reduced emissions.

“We agree with the NZTA that grade separation at the Basin Reserve is the circuit breaker to unlocking efficiencies across all transport modes in Wellington.

“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 was lost at this point. What is more it does not send a good signal for businesses wanting to invest in Wellington,” Mr Stone concluded.

ENDS

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