$302m for Taranaki underwhelms mayor

The mayor of New Plymouth is less than impressed with the Government’s announcement of a $302 million funding package for Taranaki’s roads over the next three years.

Transport Minister Phil Twyford set out the funding yesterday as part of a $16.9 billion investment under the 2018-21 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).

But Mayor Neil Holdom described the funding allotment as ‘‘underwhelming’’.

He said he was still waiting for details but he felt Taranaki had not received its fair share.

‘‘There’s $16.9 billion and we’re getting $302 million. It’s 1.7 per cent and Taranaki’s 110,000 make up about 2.3 per cent of the population. And we’ve got some really urgent projects that we really need to be addressed.

‘‘It’s disappointing that there’s no budgeted funds to do any wider works around Waitara and Bell Block,’’ he said.

‘‘I’ve got a meeting with Minister Twyford next week. My understanding is NZTA’s current plan for Waitara to Bell Block is that they don’t see there being any works – substantive works like roundabouts – for about four years. There might be some more bits of orange plastic.

‘‘My goal is to sit down with the minister and see if we can accelerate that.’’

Executive officer of National Road Carriers, Tom Cloke, said funding was always welcome for road investments and matters of transport but more detail was needed.

Jonathan Young, National MP for New Plymouth, said the government was continuing road improvements initiated by National when it was in power.

He was pleased that the government was progressing the $200m Mount Messenger Bypass, which is set to open in 2021, and called for urgency in implementing changes between Bell Block and Waitara, which are out for public consultation.

‘‘I’m very pleased to see a strong focus by NZTA on road safety and, with a number of tragic fatalities, work on that stretch of highway cannot come soon enough.’’

In his announcement, Twyford said the investment was a 26 per cent increase compared to the 2015-18 NLTP, and a 50 per cent increase from 2012-15.

‘‘Safety is a top priority for the Government,’’ he said.

‘‘This will include revamping intersections to stop collisions, installing median barriers in highrisk areas and increasing road policing.’’

There will be $171m for state highways, $11m for public transport, walking and cycling, as well as $117m for local roads.

‘‘We’re supporting significant improvements to SH3, including progressing the Mt Messenger Bypass to improve the safety, resilience and reliability of this key transport route.’’