Levin road proposal ‘horrendous’

Town and country residents east of Levin are in varying stages of shock and disappointment about the options for an expressway route running through or beside their properties.

The New Zealand Transport Agency yesterday released a shortlist of nine options for the O¯ taki to north of Levin Expressway, connecting the Ka¯ piti expressway in the south to State Highway 1 just north of Levin.

There are three southern and three northern proposals providing the total of nine possible combinations, down from an original 23 options considered.

Kimberley Rd East resident Pam Robinson said she lived just east of the corridors, but many of her neighbours had received letters from the agency informing them their properties could be affected.

She said lot of people were not aware of the significance of the engagement that went on last year and had been taken by surprise to see the only options were for an eastern route.

‘‘They are going through a lot of grief and shock.’’

She said people acknowledged something had to be done about the state highway to make it safer and to allow Horowhenua to grow, but they were not reconciled to the idea the new route should be an inland one.

Affected property owner Barry Petherick lives on the edge of one of the northern-option corridors.

He bought in the area 11 years ago, built a house and was developing a large garden.

‘‘There has been a lot of development here in the last 10 years and building consents continue to be given. There are people in new homes living under a very dark cloud.’’

Petherick said he was disappointed the agency had walked away from options west of Levin, the choice of 75 per cent of people who had been involved in earlier engagement, citing environmental and cultural concerns.

He said it was a puzzle to him that the proposals were being advanced before decisions were made about a regional ring road around Palmerston North and the alternative Manawatu¯ Gorge route.

Queen St East resident Tony Burgess said it was ‘‘horrendous’’ to find his farm and house, built as ‘‘a labour of love’’, were ‘‘right in the firing line’’ of the proposed routes.

‘‘There have been plans for 50 years for a road to the west, and people have moved to the east and invested a lot in some quite big houses.

‘‘We are terribly disappointed.’’ The transport agency will hold forums across the region until March 9 and people can submit feedback in person or online through the agency’s website. A preferred option will be presented to the agency’s board in mid-2018.