Transport shake-up plan if National elected

National is proposing a shake-up of infrastructure and transportation if it wins the general election in 2020.

The party published its transport and infrastructure discussion document yesterday with ideas and promises on the future of transport. Fuel taxes could eventually be phased out, and the party has proposed greenlighting second generation roads of national significance (Rons). The Rons are a suite of four-lane expressways, which the current Government has delayed or cancelled. ‘‘We will get New Zealand moving again by investing in the safe, efficient high-quality highways,’’ said National Party leader Simon Bridges.

‘‘National is the party that builds roads. The previous Government spent $12 billion on the first seven roads of national significance (Rons) – transformational projects that connected our regions and unlocked the potential of our cities, towns and provinces,’’ said transport spokesman Chris Bishop.

‘‘We are proposing to complete the original roads of national significance and begin a second generation programme,’’ he said.

The party is also looking at rolling out a programme of roads of regional significance, which would help local councils away from main centres to pay for roading. The party also wants to look at local councils being able to levy a congestion charge.

Airlines could also be in for a shake-up. The party said it was important ‘‘aviation services support all of our regions, and that there is competition if possible, across the country’’.

Infrastructure spokesman Paul Goldsmith said the party was looking at ways of streamlining the construction of public infrastructure. This could come through making it easier for important public infrastructure projects to get consented and creating additional government departments dedicated to building infrastructure.