Above-ground Waterview link will “split community”
May 7th, 2009
Labour’s controversial candidate for Mt Albert is at least getting into step with local sentiment on the Waterview extension, the last segment in Auckland’s traffic-unclogging western ring route. David Shearer says, “I support the tunnel going through – any of the alternatives are likely to split communities in two and distance people from shops and businesses.” Transport Minister Steven Joyce is reassessing above ground or partially submerged options to curb the price of a tunnel link which is hard to future proof.
Shearer says the tunnel has been “debated, costed and worked through in detail.” He will campaign in the by-election an above-ground alternative will see 400 more homes demolished. The absence of a decision on Waterview will become painfully obvious this month when the neighbouring Southwestern Motorway channels traffic through Avondale and Sandringham, clogging suburban streets with through-traffic.
Shearer, who was nominated as Labour’s candidate over the wishes of some local party members, says the key issue is to get a large amount of traffic off residential streets. He favours greater weight being put on public transport, including bus lanes and the integrated ticketing system supported by Auckland Regional Transport Authority.
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