PM under fire over CRL stress

The Prime Minister is being dragged into growing calls for financial help for businesses facing financial ruin and mental stress along the route of Auckland’s $4.4 billion City Rail Link.

Jacinda Ardern has been accused of showing no sympathy for constituents in the Auckland Central electorate where she was once based as a list MP, and criticised for incorrectly saying it is an issue for the NZ Transport Agency.

Business groups also want to know what help the Government has in mind for hundreds of businesses affected by Ardern’s election promise to build light rail from the central city to the airport, including businesses on Dominion Rd in her electorate of Mt Albert.

A spokesman for businesses affected by the CRL, Sunny Kaushal, said Ardern cut her teeth in Auckland Central but she and her Government are not being sympathetic to the huge financial stress.

He was gobsmacked to hear the Prime Minister tell Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB this week the issue of compensation is a matter for the NZ Transport Agency.

“She has no idea what she is talking about,” said Kaushal, who said the project is being jointly funded by the Government and Auckland Council, who have set up a company, City Rail Link Ltd, to build the 3.4km underground rail project between Britomart and Mt Eden. A spokesman for NZTA confirmed it has nothing to do with the CRL. The Herald is seeking comment from the Prime Minister, who has been on the road yesterday.

Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck has been pressing Transport Minister Phil Twyford and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff to show some “human decency” and urgently set up a hardship fund to help struggling businesses on Albert St.

Goff reiterated he is talking with Twyford about “how best to assist those adversely affected by construction” but said governments have ruled out a broad compensation fund.