Subscribe to RSSGreens Question Key On Rail
The Greens say Key’s wait-and-see response to Auckland’s call for greater investment into rail is “particularly galling given their commitment of $3.1 billion to new roads long before a spatial plan was ever considered.”
Auckland’s new Mayor, Len Brown set out his top three transport priorities for the region at his inauguration yesterday. Top of the agenda were the Britomart rail loop, a rail line to Auckland airport and the North Shore.
Mr Hughes said the prime minister gave no commitment to further investment in rail citing the completion of Auckland’s spatial plan as the reason.
Green Party Transport spokesperson Gareth Hughes added: “John Key continues to apply the brakes on Auckland’s aspirations to be the economic heart of the country. His reluctance to embrace alternatives to roads is preventing Auckland from getting on with it.
“The Green Party supports better planning to maximise future investments in transport infrastructure. Why isn’t he waiting for the spatial plan before committing $3.1 billion on new roads?
“The CBD Rail Loop is the smartest way to deliver real transport progress to the fast growing Auckland region,” added Mr Hughes.
“The CBD Rail Loop is key to increased capacity and frequency of trains. It is vital for expanding the network to the airport and North Shore. The Government can bring this project forward to meet the demand for rail and deal with Auckland’s economically stifling congestion.”
“The Government’s aim in creating the Supercity was to give the region one mayor, one council and one united voice. The City is now speaking with that one voice on transport solutions but the Government no longer wants to listen.”
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The Government’s aim in creating the Supercity was to give the region one mayor, one council and one united voice. The City is now speaking with that one voice on transport solutions but the Government no longer wants to listen.”
actually, it is the other way round now. but they have a point on Key’s 3.1billion dollar investment into road road road!
Anthony - whut? How is that “the other way around”?
I think it’s a perfect explanation. Just think of how they would take a Banks victory as a vindication of their roads policies, and “a strong mandate to keep increasing our focus on the transport links that Auckland, as the backbone of our economy, really needs” (I am channeling Joyce’s prepared speech for a Banks’ victory here).
Instead, they throw on the brakes, while every now and then making positive noises, so they don’t sound quite as backwards as they are. I am just hoping that the evidence against them is so overwhelming that slowly, the grudgingly assenting statements they make still end up backing them into rail’s corner anyway.
hmmmm, i guess your right, i just never really follow about politics in auckland and wellington for a while as i have NCEA L2 to study…….gah! i wish someone would put a lie detector on them so we know what they really are up to.
LOOKING AT YOU MINISTER OF “TRANSPORTATION”
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