Rocks Rd dropped from transport planning priorities
A shared path for Nelson’s Rocks Rd has been dropped from a major transport planning document setting national roading priorities.
In August, the then Labour government released its draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS), which sets priorities for transport funding over the next 10 years.
Included in a list of 14 critical national routes to be prioritised was the Hope Bypass, and upgrading the Rocks Rd stretch of State Highway 6 to include a widened walking and cycling boulevard.
This week, the new National-led government unveiled its updated draft for public consultation. It brought back its roads of national significance programme – but while the Hope Bypass made the cut, Rocks Rd was gone.
The policy statement sets NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s budgets while indicating what should be prioritised.
According to a report to the Joint Nelson Tasman Regional Transport Committee in December, the Hope Bypass would cost $496 million, while Rocks Rd would cost $204m. Both were listed as priority one for the region.
Nelson MP, Labour’s Rachel Boyack, said the move would leave Nelsonians worse off.
“Rocks Rd is one of the jewels in Nelson’s crown. But it is in dire need of some love. The road not only needs significant work to be made safe for walkers and cyclists, but Nelsonians and visitors to Nelson should be able to properly enjoy this stretch of our beautiful waterfront.
“This is a hugely important project, and in my view it’s a vital link for Nelson’s transport network.”
The region needed both projects if it wanted a “modern, fast, reliable transport network that works for everyone”, Boyack said. “The decision to drop the Rocks Rd Waterfront project takes us backwards and undoes years of work across local and central Government to get this critical transport project started.”
Transport Minister Simeon Brown said the policy statement set the Government’s priorities, but excluding a project from the roads of national significance did not mean it wouldn’t happen.
“This is not an exhaustive list of all projects expected to be funded and delivered from the [National Land Transport Fund] or other Crown funding.
“In regard to specific local projects not identified by name, provided they meet the priorities of the draft GPS, they could be considered for NLTF funding. Their priority, and time frame for construction, would be a matter for NZTA to consider along with other regional projects.”
The Government’s priority was “to support economic growth and productivity, ensuring people can get to where they are going quickly and safely”, Brown said.
Following consultation, the policy statement would inform the National Land Transport Programme, which would decide where funding would be spent, he said.
Nelson mayor Nick Smith said he was feeling positive about the inclusion of the Hope Bypass.
“It gives me great confidence that the project is going to advance.”
He had agreed with Tasman mayor Tim King to make the bypass the priority when advocating to the Government, he said.
The traffic congestion at Nelson’s southern entrance, particularly around the Queen St intersection, made the bypass essential, he said. “We can’t get this project done soon enough.”
Smith labelled Rocks Rd a “distant dream”. Any coastal project would be “very challenging”, he said, and he had doubts about the viability of the project.
“I would much rather have a bird in the hand with the Hope Bypass than two in the bush.”
Bicycle Nelson Bays co-convener Bevan Woodward labelled the removal of Rocks Rd “somewhat tragic”. Having a shared path would “completely transform the experience”, allowing people to enjoy riding along the waterfront, he said.
“I would much rather have a bird in the hand with the Hope Bypass than two in the bush.”
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith