NZTA approach ‘cavalier’
Ohariu MP Peter Dunne has called NZ Transport Agency’s handling of proposals for the Petone to Grenada Link road ‘‘inept, blunderbuss tactics of the worst type’’.
Mr Dunne said the agency’s handling of the link road plan, which emerged three weeks ago, had been a public relations and planning disaster from the outset.
‘‘ I think the plan is now doomed because of its own incompetence, and the sooner it is dropped altogether, the better. First off, was the announcement that the preferred option was to slice a link road through Takapu Valley, understandably angering the residents who live there, and who had no idea that was being considered,’’ Mr Dunne said.
Mr Dunne said the agency was playing off the Takapu and Tawa communities against each other, as a second option, if Takapu was not preferred, would be to widen State Highway 1 at Tawa.
‘‘ That brinkmanship is simply disgraceful. Now comes this week’s news that people buying sections in a new subdivision at the top of Grenada Village find the proposed road cuts right through the land they are in the process of buying. These are inept blunderbuss tactics of the worst type – despite its assurances to me personally and in public, NZTA seems to have no comprehension of, or concern about the impact of its cavalier announcements on local residents who stand to be seriously adversely affected.’’
Mr Dunne said the transport agency’s best option was to go back to the drawing board and work with the local community, Tawa Community Board and Wellington City Council on the best way forward.
A decision will be made by the end of this year, with consents lodged in 2015.
Negotiations for the purchase of land would take place in 2017 and construction would begin in 2019.
The link road could be tolled.