Posted on 25-8-2004

No Motorway Mayor

The latest Eastern Motorway proposal will achieve zilch in dealing with
Auckland's gridlock problem, according to Auckland Mayoral Candidate Chris
Fletcher.

She said that the focus for the city's transport woes must be to reduce
traffic, not to construct systems that will encourage more cars to jam up
the city. "A motorway is a motorway - two lanes, four or six." she said.
"This supposedly scaled-down proposal is like trying to say that someone
is a 'little bit pregnant'." "And how much more money will be squandered
on consultants' reports?" she said. "There is no mandate for this road, no
budget for it, and no indication as to where the money is going to come
from."

Chris Fletcher said that it would take years to get through all the
necessary Consents for a motorway, and that costs would escalate as a
result. "By contrast, the rail corridor is already in place, operating way
under capacity," she said. "Surely we should make the best use of our
existing investment before we even think about spending billions of
dollars on a new investment?" "This City needs a public transport system
that is worthy of a "world-class" city, not even a scaled-down road
through one of Auckland's iconic beauty-spots, the Orakei Basin, and
Purewa Cemetery,"

"My vision for Auckland includes electrification of the Auckland rail
network, and brand new electric trains, including light rail vehicles that
will connect beyond Britomart with the universities, Auckland City
Hospital, Newmarket and the Western Line," she said. "Together with the
investment that is now going into stations and double tracking, and an
increase in train frequency, we have the makings of a top-rate system."

She said that in the longer-term the city should also plan for a
connection between Avondale and Southdown via Onehunga and a branch to the
Airport. "The real benefits of our rail system will come when we provide a
city-wide network allowing access to more major destinations," she said.
"Add to this an expansion of our ferry services so that they become a
viable alternative for many more Auckland commuters and shoppers, and the
benefits of integrated ticketing systems, and we will see many more people
use public transport as a positive choice."

"Of the serious contenders for the Auckland Mayoralty, I am the only one
who is unequivocally against the motorway. If you want to be rid of this
proposal, you have to vote for me."