It’s not about the money, it’s pure politics
The Government’s behaviour over the Picton ferry upgrade seems more about politics than cost. There is always the money. The new ferries would have had huge rail capacity, making for a big freight mode shift from road to rail, and this would have put the wind up a government hostile to railways.
Cost overruns are a fact of life as we have seen with the likes of Transmission Gully and Te Papa. But who is complaining about those facilities or their cost now?
This episode not only gets New Zealand an international reputation for reneging on contracts but also as a convenient dumping ground for old tubs that have already sailed past their use by dates.
Pat Corkery
PRECIOUS PETONE
Great letter from Gary Lewis entitled “Precious Petone”. How right you are, Gary, it is a precious name to all who have lived, worked or just shopped there over many years. The same applies to our country name. I have been immensely proud to be a New Zealander, born 85 years ago in Wellington, in my travels to other countries. I have been made to feel proud of our country as everyone knows of New Zealand.
Please do not change these precious names − I believe we should include Māori names on Government Departments but after the English title so everyone knows what it is. You will probably find that many will learn some Te Reo from this arrangement.
These names were changed by the Labour Government without any notice to the general public and that makes one very suspicious of a Government that can do this − that is how Communism is practiced.
Margaret Puketapu
CORRECTION
I need to bring to your attention a mistake in the article about Lane Street Studios on the front page of the Upper Hutt Leader of 20 March. In the caption of the photo of Kristy Grant it says that she is “Founder” of Lane Street Studios, this is incorrect and upsetting to the actual founders and we would like a correction printed.
Lane Street Studios was founded by the Evans Family, who were owners of the property at Lane St. Our goal was to bring an industry into Upper Hutt that would enhance the city and create employment. After being contacted by the Film Commission we decided to turn the Lane St property into a film studio because this looked a good way to achieve our aims. During the building process we then employed Kristy Grant as chief executive.
Lane Street Studios would never have existed without the Evans Family. Peter Evans, Trustee Totara Trust
FLYOVERS NEEDED
I am writing to voice my concerns regarding a safety change planned for State Highway 2 in Lower Hutt.
Why is New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi so backwards as to propose new traffic lights onto a busy motorway? All traffic lights should be replaced by flyovers on SH2 Wellington. Hebden Cres I agree with, close the center barrier. Why at Owen St, where there are 1000 residents, would you install more traffic lights on a busy motorway?
Much better would be to widen/lengthen Norfolk St up to a stop sign at the Kennedy Good Bridge/Belmont school Rd intersection. Have it tie in with a future flyover of Fairway Dr/Kelson onto SH2.