FROM THE EDITOR

I’ve been like a kid before Christmas waiting for the Waterview Connection to open.

So it was bitterly disappointing to find out last week the project, which was scheduled to open within weeks, has been delayed by two or three months.

The project has been held up by faulty fire sprinklers. Some valves are sticking and need replacing - an inexpensive fix, the NZTA says.

While the valves may be inexpensive, the economic impact to Auckland will not be.

The Waterview Connection is a key part of the Western Ring Route which has been identified by the Government as vital to enabling economic growth in New Zealand.

So I was surprised that NZTA said there would be no penalty payments to hold any agencies accountable for the fire sprinkler blunder.

There needs to be accountability when those tasked to deliver the $1.6 billion project fail to complete it on time.

- John