Greens’ influence

The letter reported to have been written by Julie Anne Genter to the transport minister concerning Wellington’s transport future (Reveal letter, MP demands, Aug 1) appears to be an attempt by the minority Green coalition partner to influence the outcome of this project in favour of cycle and public transport options.

Perhaps that is why the only confirmed announcements made from the Let’s Get Wellington Moving project after five years is for pedestrian/cycle facilities in the CBD and a pedestrian crossing on Cobham Drive.

Other worrying signs of this political influence on regional transport projects include:

■ The addition of a separate cycleway alongside the Waikanae to O¯ taki freeway, instead of the original cheaper scheme of using the redundant SH1, which would make more sense as it passes through existing settlements which could provide refreshment stops, etc.

■ The recent late decision to provide a costly separate cycleway over the mountain range alongside the proposed replacement Manawatu¯ Gorge route, with no evidence that there is a need.

It is a concern that important transport decisions appear to be influenced by ideological political pressures and not based on facts. This can only result in distorted decisions and a waste of precious transport funds that would be better spent on relieving critical congestion on our roading network. Murray Carpenter, Wilton