Transit NZ Shafting Tauranga
Transit NZ Shafting Tauranga
Wednesday 3 Dec 2003 Ken Shirley Press Releases -- Other
ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader Ken Shirley today slammed Transit New Zealand for its farcical decision denying highway status to the Tauranga Harbour Bridge.
"The road on either side of the existing bridge was last month designated as part of the state highway network - it is a nonsense not to have the same designation for the bridge span between both approaches.
"It is clear that this is Transit's deliberate ploy to deny Tauranga State funding for a duplicate bridge.
"The Tauranga region's the local bodies have shown more innovation and initiative than other Councils, by adopting the user-pays principle through road tolls. Government agent Transit New Zealand should encourage the local effort, rather than penalise it.
"This issue will be a test for Cabinet Minister Margaret Wilson - who purports to represent Tauranga interests but so often fails to deliver," Mr Shirley said.
ENDS
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.