New Minister Casts Fresh Doubts On Gully Highway
January 22nd, 2009
Despite the Govt’s apparent commitment to a major road building programme, the future of Wellington’s much longed for Transmission Gully motorway looks even less secure. Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, is unconvinced the billion-dollar highway is the solution to Wellington’s northern roading access problems. Joyce says he remains on the fence regarding the long-simmering debate over the northern motorway project.
Mixed views. Joyce’s position is he has no preference between the $1.025bn Gully project or an upgrade of the coastal route, a stance which differs from the previous Labour Govt, which committed to building the inland highway although would not commit to funding the entire project. “Is Transmission Gully the right road rather than the coastal route? I’ve still got a mixed view on that. In terms of the actual Transmission Gully solution, I haven’t formed a view. I don’t have a personal preference. It’s a big sum of money.”
Regional leaders resolute. Despite Joyce’s indifference to the project, Greater Wellington Regional Council chairwoman, Fran Wilde, remains convinced it should be built. “We now have a lot of certainty about Transmission Gully, we don’t have certainty about the coastal route, and the coastal route environmentally is disastrous. I still believe the Gully is the way to go.” Running cold on Transmission Gully is sending a clear signal the Govt sees transport priorities lying elsewhere in more National voter-friendly territories.
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