THEY VOTED

In favour of the submission: Ray Ahipene-Mercer, Ngaire Best, Andy Foster, Leonie Gill, Ian McKinnon, Simon Marsh, John Morrison. Against: Celia Wade-Brown, Paul Eagle, Justin Lester, Iona Pannett, Bryan Pepperell, Helene Ritchie. Absent: Stephanie Cook, Jo Coughlan. vote for a flyover.’’ She has previously voted to support the region’s Ngauranga to Airport corridor plan, which states that separating state highway and local traffic around the Basin was the best way to solve congestion.

When asked if she still supported that view, she said: ‘‘When the only form of grade separation is going to be this flyover, then actually, I think we can’t do it.’’

Ms Wade-Brown did not stay to answer any more questions.

Her position took many councillors by surprise. ‘‘She’s flipflopped on grade separation and she’s flip-flopped on mitigation,’’ Ray Ahipene-Mercer said.

Mr Morrison said the vote ‘‘limped over the line with some pretty poor messages’’ to the Government. ‘‘So I’m very pleased we supported this, but I’m pretty disappointed about the way it was done.’’

Transport portfolio leader Andy Foster admitted the mayor’s lack of support had caught him offguard.

‘‘I was surprised given . . . all of the conversations we’ve had have been about us conditionally supporting it, so she’s obviously struggling [with the decision].

‘‘She said she’s had sleepless nights about it. It’s clearly been a very hard decision for her, it was always going to be either way.’’