Petone-Grenada Link Road

Briefly, I am supportive of the road. It will reduce congestion on the way to and from Wellington and also Tawa/Porirua, increase resilience, and help drive economic growth in the valley and wider region. It has a benefit cost ratio of 4, meaning for every $1 invested, there are $4 worth of benefits. It is supported by the Hutt City Council and also has widespread support in the community.

Funding decisions and timelines are over to the NZTA. What I can do as local MP is encourage them to get on with it, make sure that locals are consulted properly about the exact route that the road takes, and their concerns are heard, listened to, and acted upon. That's what I intend to do if elected.

The response I've received to the Petone-Grenada link after door knocking Korokoro/Petone residents has been overwhelmingly negative. Locals don't want increased traffic on The Esplanade and don't want to destroy the beauty of the Korokoro valley.

I agree with the Mayor that the Cross-Valley Link is a much higher roading priority for the Hutt Valley, as it will reduce congestion and improve travel times. I'm committed to an assessment of roading priorities in the region, with a view to funding upgrades on SH58 as well as the Melling and Haywards interchanges.

Support Petone-Grenada link road. The region needs it.

Some questions as to where it cuts through i.e. folk in Takapu Valley not that fussed. Process for consultation has been shoddy. I've attended the local meetings and it looks as though NZTA will have to go back to drawing board as to where it cuts through as those people potentially affected have not had adequate information.

I am afraid I know very little about the project and as such it would be imprudent to comment in any way.

Party policy is that roads and other infrastructure is, clearly, vital for economic development - however blanket policies on 'more roads - no more roads - more rail' etc are more about ideology then practicality so any and all proposals need to be dealt with on a case by case basis.

The Greens are opposed to any more new motorways at a time when traffic volumes are stagnant. We think that fuel prices will rise significantly in the near-mid future, as peak oil production is reached, further depressing traffic, and making new motorways a waste of resources. We would prefer to invest in substantially improving our public transport networks, investing in road upkeep and in new cycling and walking routes.

The main advantage I can see to the Petone-Grenada link is in earthquake resilience, as it provides a transport route between the Hutt and the Karori-Plimmerton area. While this is a real advantage, it might be cheaper to invest in strengthening SH58 over the Haywards instead, to provide the same options.

So in short, both I and the Greens are opposed to this road. If elected, I would review the case for it (road volumes, cost, earthquake relience, impact on residents and environment), and unless it really stacked up, I would try to have it cancelled.