Headline: Clogged roads show need for investment in congestion-free network
The best use of the taxpayers’ money isn’t more motorways that lead to more congestion. It’s smart investment in public transport, walking and cycling
Increasing congestion in our major cities shows that urgent investment is needed in public transport and the National Government’s motorway programme has failed, Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said today.
The Tomtom survey, released today, shows congestion is worsening in the major cities, despite the National Government spending a billion dollars a year on new motorways. The report highlights that much of the congestion is on local roads.
“This report shows the urgent need to invest in public transport projects that will allow more people to commute without congestion and free up the roads,” said Ms Genter.
“The City Rail Link, for example, will carry the equivalent of 12 lanes of motorway traffic. Without it, congestion in Auckland will just get worse. If we build the CRL as soon as possible, as the Green Party proposes, it will give Aucklanders reliable choices to avoid congestion and take pressure off the roads.
“The Greens are backing a plan for congestion-free transport networks for Auckland and Wellington that will cost less than National’s motorways and help unclog the roads, which National has failed to do.
“National has spent nearly $5 billion on new motorways in the past 5 years and congestion has gotten worse. This is despite Government numbers show fewer people are travelling by car, suggesting car travel is concentrating at the daily peaks.
“We can never build our way out of congestion with more motorways. In fact, official reports show that National’s worst motorway projects – Transmission Gully, the Kapiti Expressway, and Puhoi to Wellsford – would increase congestion in the most clogged parts of the Wellington and Auckland networks.
“These multi-billion dollar motorways would subsidise long-distance commuting by car and actually reduce the number of people taking public transport. They just funnel more cars into the congested city centres.
“The best use of the taxpayers’ money isn’t more motorways that lead to more congestion. It’s smart investment in public transport, walking and cycling, which reduce the numbers of cars on the road, particularly at peak times, and make travelling quicker for everyone,” said Ms Genter.
Additional Information:
http://www.congestionfree.co.nz/
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