Roads debate comes to a grinding halt
Details of future Waikato roading upgrades and extensions are under wraps until the new Government finishes penning its transport policy.
Matamata-Piako was waiting to hear if its pot-holed state highways connecting the district’s three towns would be repaired while National is putting the pressure on for Labour to follow through on a major four-lane project between Piarere to the foot of the Kaimai.
Confirmation depends on what’s inside the new Government Policy Statement on Land Transport, due to be released for consultation soon.
Matamata-Piako District Council had lobbied New Zealand Transport Agency to fix up problem areas along state highways 27 and 29. The poor condition of the roads had been a talking point at council meetings and among those using the busy roads daily.
Matamata-Piako mayor Jan Barnes said she and the council’s chief executive Don McLeod were in regular meetings with NZTA. Barnes was hopeful the Piarere roundabout and Waikato Expressway extension from Piarere to the foot of the Kaimai Ranges would go ahead.
‘‘The continuing economic development of this region depends on having that extension finished,’’ she said.
While not defending the poor condition of state highways in the district and the time it was taking for upgrades to be done, Barnes said NZTA had given assurances that safety would be paramount and work would be completed after a new contractor was brought in to finish the SH27 safety upgrade.
New Zealand Transport Agency Director Regional Relationships, Parekawhia McLean said the agency was committed to working closely with communities, key stakeholders and the Government to deliver solutions that met transport needs.
The Government Policy Statement on Land Transport guides the transport investment decisions made by NZTA.
Minister of Transport Phil Twyford is developing the statement and has indicated it will provide a different emphasis for the transport system.
It included prioritising safety, improving access to liveable cities and thriving regions through more investment in public trans- port, walking and cycling, better environmental outcomes and delivering the best value for money.
‘‘We can’t pre-empt what will be in the new statement or give further detail about projects until it is released,’’ McLean said.
A hint that plans on the Waikato Expressway extension from Cambridge to Tirau and from Cambridge to the Kaimai Range may be canned, had prompted National MPs David Bennett and Louise Upston to start a series of petitions.
‘‘This is one of a series of petitions National is launching aimed at saving regional highway projects that are at risk of being canned by the new Government,’’ Upston said.
Twyford said the Labour-led Government understands the importance of making sure roads were safe.
‘‘That’s why we will be putting more focus on safety than the previous government,’’ he said.
‘‘This will be reflected in the draft policy statement.‘‘
Twyford said current roading projects would continue as planned.
The Government has not asked for any current projects to be reviewed except Auckland’s East West Link.
Officials were working to identify lower-cost, higher-value options there, he said.