MIL OSI – Source: Green Party –
Headline: Basin Flyover decision victory for common sense
“Both popular and expert opinion opposed the flyover. The proposal was expensive, unnecessary and would have undermined the Basin’s heritage value.”
The Green Party welcomed the Environmental Protection Authority’s draft decision announced today not to allow the $90 million Basin Reserve flyover in Wellington to proceed.
“Both popular and expert opinion opposed the flyover. The proposal was expensive, unnecessary and would have undermined the Basin’s heritage value,” said Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter.
The EPA today released its draft decision not to allow the controversial project to proceed. Of 215 submissions received by the EPA, 83 percent opposed the flyover in full, or in part. Ms Genter was an expert witness at the hearing.
“This decision is a victory for common sense. National’s obsession with motorways is wasteful and unpopular,” Ms Genter said.
“National should take note of the decision and put resources into upgrading public transport and cycle lanes, which cost less and create a more vibrant city.
“Every day the Government says we can’t afford wasteful public spending, yet the Basin Reserve flyover had a poor cost benefit analysis and is more costly than other options.
“NZTA’s own data shows declining traffic volumes on the propose route. The flyover was a solution looking for a problem.
“A poll this week sent a clear message to the Government over its transport priorities – give us better public transport rather than more roads.
“The vast majority of people coming into Wellington take public transport, cycle or walk. People want frequency, reliability and affordability.
“Investment in public transport as well as cycle lanes would have the double dividend of enhancing the transport most people use and further reducing car traffic.
“A massive concrete motorway flyover was an invitation for future urban decay and crime. It is the exact opposite of smart transport planning, and the EPA clearly understood this.
“A smart, green approach to transport gets more people and freight moving, while enhancing the valuable land in the central city.”
A final decision will be made on August 30.
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Wonder if Gerry Brownlee will come to the rescue of the right and do what he did in Canterbury when decisions went against them there.
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