No love for the Link

A ‘‘selfish’’ and ’’anti-community’’ decision based on ideology, not evidence.

Victory Community Centre board member Helen Watson has come out swinging over National’s announcement that if re-elected, they’ll build the Southern Link next term.

Prime Minister Bill English announced in Nelson on Tuesday that a re-elected National Party would start construction of the road in the next parliamentary term, committing up to $135 million to the project.

The Southern Link, connecting the Annesbrook Dr and Haven Rd roundabouts, is designed to ease congestion and improve accessibility on the city’s arterial routes including the Rocks Rd section of State Highway 6, which snakes around the picturesque waterfront and is popular with walkers and cyclists.

But Watson said it was a decision made based on political ideology, with very little evidence that made a strong case for the Southern Link.

‘‘We are really concerned about the fact that the money, the $135m that’s been tagged for it - has been set aside and we think there are a whole lot of other communities that would be better served by that money,’’ Watson said.

She also serves as chairperson on the Victory Primary School board and said it would have a massive impact on families in the community.

‘‘We know there are upwards of 1000 children going to school or early childhood in that small southern link corridor between Auckland Point and Nelson Intermediate School,’’ she said.