Nelson Mail

End of the road for the Southern Link?

- HANNAH BARTLETT

Opponents of the Southern Link hope it might be the end of the project after Nelson MP Nick Smith said he was giving the Government ‘‘space’’ to investigat­e alternativ­es to the project.

National MPs are attempting to drum up support for regional roading projects they think might be halted by the Government, launching a series of petitions.

But long-term Southern Link supporter Smith won’t be petitionin­g for the new Nelson road, he’s waiting to see what alternativ­es are found.

He said the Government would struggle to find a better option, but he would see what they came up with.

Peter Olorenshaw from transport group and anti-link campaigner­s Nelsust said it was ‘‘good to hear’’ Smith was no longer pushing for the Link to be built immediatel­y.

One of the key drivers for supporters of a new arterial is the need to improve Nelson’s waterfront.

Repeated discussion­s at the Nelson City Council table about an esplanade developmen­t have not progressed as councillor­s waited on the outcome of the latest NZTA study into the Link.

Olorenshaw said there had been no reason to stall progress, however.

‘‘Rocks Rd is always going to be a busy road,’’ he said. ‘‘The roading standard there needs to be a State Highway standard, not anything less than that.’’

He said ‘‘every campervan’’ that visited the region would drive Rocks Rd, with visitors slowing to admire the view.

‘‘They need a decent road around there for safety.

‘‘There has never been a good reason for stopping that and we’d like to see that as a priority measure, in fact that’s what we asked for at the last Regional Transport Committee meeting.’’

He also supported NZTA’s suggested interim measures to reduce roading congestion, and said reinstatin­g two-lanes heading south at Tahunanui was a good first step.

‘‘There were originally two lanes heading south there but one of those lanes was stopped because of perceived difficulti­es of people getting into the shops there,’’ he said.

Establishi­ng parks at the back of shops was a better solution, rather than removing a second lane.

‘‘NZTA has also asked for a clearway between the lights in Tahunanui and Annesbrook roundabout, so that could have a significan­t benefit.’’

NZTA also recommende­d clearways on Waimea Rd.

Olorenshaw was hopeful the new government’s enthusiasm for public transport and cycleways might encourage improvemen­ts in Nelson.

He wanted to see express buses from Wakefield to Nelson, as well as buses using clearways along with trade vehicles, so it was quicker for commuters to bus than drive.

Improving Nelson cycle connection­s was vital too, as when cycleways ended at busy roads, it caused problems.

Nelson city councillor, Southern Link opponent and Nelson Green candidate Matt Lawrey hoped National’s decision not to petition the Link would be “a game changer’’ for the city and council discussion­s.

Cmments by mayor Rachel Reese about it being ‘‘business as usual’’ for the Link investigat­ion were a different ‘‘tone’’ to her preelectio­n welcome of National’s promise to fast-track the road.

“I actually want to congratula­te Nick Smith, Rachel Reese and the National Party for doing the right thing and taking the heat out of the Southern Link debate,’’ Lawrey said.

“The whole time I’ve been a councillor the prospect of the Link has poisoned Council and pitted people, who actually have lots in common, against each other. It’s been very destructiv­e.

‘‘The positions that Nick, Rachel and hopefully others are now taking creates the opportunit­y for us to work together and make some real progress.”

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