Waiting game for Levin bypass
Progress on a bypass of the Horowhenua town of Levin appears to have stalled as the new Government reviews transport priorities and funding.
The NZ Transport Agency had planned to seek feedback from the public by the end of this year on a route to alleviate traffic through Levin’s town centre.
But, with the change of Government, plans for further consultation this year have been derailed and Horowhenua residents will have to wait to have their say.
Transport agency lower North Island regional relationships director Emma Speight could not say when the next lot of consultation on the proposed bypass would happen.
Discussions about priorities and timings of roading projects were under way with the Government, Speight said.
‘‘This is an important process, which will continue over the coming weeks.
"It's not just long weekends and holidays now. Every time you go to town there's a constant stream of traffic." Christine Mitchell, Horowhenua District councillor
‘‘We understand that people will be looking for certainty as soon as possible, and we will update our partners, stakeholders and customers as soon as we are able to.’’
In August, the transport agency finished its latest round of engagement for the ‘‘Otaki to north of Levin’’ roading project that is to connect with the Ka¯piti Expressway.
Horowhenua District councillor Christine Mitchell said encouraging traffic to steer clear of Oxford St – the main street in Levin – was needed.
‘‘It’s not just long weekends and holidays now. Every time you go to town there’s a constant stream of traffic.’’
People’s lives were on hold, including those whose properties could be in the way of a bypass, but it wasn’t the transport agency’s fault, Mitchell said.
It was frustrating for everybody, but there was nothing that could be done about it, she said.