Fast fix promise for gorge
Amid a sense of deja vu, the Labour Party has pledged to build an alternative route near the Manawatu gorge as fast as possible.
Yesterday, Labour leader Andrew Little visited the beleaguered gorge route and announced his party would build a new road, linking Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay, and likely running through Te Apiti wind farm.
State Highway 3 through the Manawatu Gorge was closed indefinitely from July 7 as there were fears of more unstable rock falling.
Little’s announcement followed hot on the heels of visits from Transport Minister Simon Bridges and Green Party leaders on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
In a statement, Labour leader Andrew Little said expert analysis of options explored in 2012 showed a new route through the Te Apiti was the least expensive with the best returns on investment.
The route had an estimated cost of $120 million six years ago, but Little said the party had not investigated the current estimated cost.
‘‘The regions that depend on this connection deserve certainty. My commitment to them is that Labour will build a new, reliable road as soon as possible.’’
When Manawatu Standard asked Little what Labour would offer as a short-term solution to residents in towns such as Woodville and Ashhurst, he said the party had been focusing on a long-term solution.
‘‘We understand their plight. [But] we don’t have a particular promise to make to them at the moment.’’ Bridge Cafe owner Rebecca Algie has been losing out on 70 per cent of her usual profit due to the gorge closure redirecting traffic. Some Woodville business owners were down as much as 30 per cent as drivers bypassed the town.
For the long-term plan of building a sustainable route, Labour would speed up the consenting and construction processes in the hopes a new road would be open in less than three years, Little said.
‘‘Since the 14-month closure in 2011-12, it has been obvious that a new, permanent route is needed, but National hasn’t been willing to make investment in the regions. Even now, National is dragging their feet with no detail or timetable,’’ Little said.
Tenders to investigate longterm options close in mid-august and a final recommendation by the NZ Transport Agency is expected in December.
While visiting the Manawatu Gorge on Wednesday, Bridges said National expected a permanent fix within three years.
On Thursday, the Green Party announced a plan to run a twicedaily passenger train using existing infrastructure through the gorge.