Welcome the game changer

It may only take seven minutes to cross Mt Messenger according to Colin Bell (Letters, TDN, Jan 9), but historically this circuitous, uncomfortable journey has dissuaded many from visiting Taranaki.

It could be argued that Mt Messenger has visually and logistically reinforced our perceived isolation.

The main difficulties associated with travelling through Mt Messenger have been lots of road slips (severing our only highway road link north out of the province), a disproportionate number of accidents, poor cellphone coverage, and passengers experiencing nausea.

So I don’t begrudge the $200m being spent to improve this roading infrastructure through a problematic area.

Harry Duynhoven column’s ‘‘Mt Messenger will make a tangible difference to our lives’’ (TDN, Jan

5) was a timely reminder it has taken decades of Team Taranaki political lobbying to finally get sufficient government funding for this milestone project.

In my opinion, Duynhoven, as a long-standing MP for NP and Associate Transport Minister deserves recognition for his tenacious lobbying.

It was unfair of Colin Bell to accuse Harry Duynhoven (and to a lesser extent Jonathan Young) of old-fashioned 20th century thinking because they enthusiastically support this major infrastructure upgrade.

Yes, NZ must urgently embrace renewable energies as we aim for zero carbon emissions by

2050.

However, the impending and irrevocable threat of climate change should not stop us from welcoming the huge improvements that will result from improved access through Mt Messenger.

It will be a game changer for Taranaki.

Bryan Vickery, New Plymouth