Twyford puts focus on regional and local roads
TRANSPORT Minister Phil Twyford has blasted the previous Nationalled Government’s neglect of regional roads, saying it has cost lives.
Mr Twyford was speaking at the 2018 Road Transport Forum Conference, held at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium, yesterday.
He outlined the
Government’s plans to reevaluate the value of bigticket highway projects and shift investment towards improving the country’s regional and local roads, among other changes.
But, after discussing the Government’s interest in greater use of rail and coastal shipping for freight, he was challenged from the audience by a Northland transport operator.
The man, who did not give his name, told Mr Twyford the region needed more investment in its roads — both local, regional and State Highway 1 — to cater for rising tourist numbers in the north.
Without it, ‘‘all I can see is us having more tourists dying on our roads’’, he said.
But the transport industry was already paying its ‘‘fair share’’, and he did not want to see higher fuel taxes invested in rail instead.
‘‘I’m pretty staunch about this, to the point that if you want a war — we’ll bring you one.’’
Mr Twyford hit back, saying the Government’s shifting focus was ‘‘long overdue’’.
The previous Nationalled Government had decided to
‘‘p . . . away’’ 40% of the country’s entire transport budget on a ‘‘handful’’ of new state highway projects, which together catered for just 4% of vehicle journeys, he said.
‘‘That is economic madness and we will not do it,’’ he said.
The focus on bigticket projects had meant ‘‘the rest of the transport system went to hell in a handbasket’’, he said.
‘‘That’s why so many people are dying on neglected regional and local roads, and we are going to address that.’’
The Coalition Government’s focus was on a transport system which moved freight efficiently, improved safety, reduced carbon emissions and delivered ‘‘value for money’’.
Extra investment would come at a cost, through higher fuel taxes, but change was needed, he said.
TRUCK drivers traditionally, and rather facetiously, refer to speeding tickets as ‘‘driving awards’’.
So you can understand why Special Rigs for Special Kids event organiser Greg Inch frowned instead of smiled when he heard he was being given one recently.
Fortunately, it was a ‘‘good’’ driving award, he said.
Mr Inch won the VTNZ Outstanding Contribution to Road Transport award at the 2018 New Zealand Road Transport Industry Awards in Dunedin on Wednesday night, for his work establishing and running the annual Special Rigs for Special Kids event in Dunedin.
The event gives children with special needs an opportunity to ride in a truck.
It provides the children and their families with a fun day out and attracts up to 200 trucks each year.
‘‘Special Rigs for Special Kids really is a fantastic community event and it is fitting that the industry recognises Greg’s hard work and the impact his event has for hundreds of Otago families, through this award,’’ Road Transport Forum chief executive Ken Shirley said.
Mr Inch was both stunned and delighted by the award.
‘‘To be recognised by the transport industry like that, it’s pretty big.’’
Despite the win, he reiterated he did not run the Special Rigs event for recognition or reward.
‘‘It’s for the kids. I do it for the smile on the kids’ faces.
‘‘For some kids, it’s bigger than Christmas. I’ve had principals, teachers and kids tell me that. They look forward to it so much. It’s the highlight of their year.
‘‘And even for the drivers, it’s a big event for them too. They get to give something back to their community.’’
Other awards: Teletrac Navman Industry Innovation Award: Sysdoc and Fonterra. ERoad Outstanding
Contribution to Health and Safety Award: Safe Business Solutions. Outstanding Contribution to Training Award: Derek Nees (TIL Freight). Castrol Truck Driver Hero Award: Phil Newton (Fonterra).