Roading plans CAST off
Community and Sustainable Transport (CAST) wants to see better alternatives put forward by the agency, based on public transport, demand management and walking and cycling options. CAST convenor and Hataitai resident, David Laing, says the Basin Reserve – Cobham Drive roading proposals don’t stack up and are based on flawed assumptions. He says the proposals will cost $500 million and take 30 years to deliver just $200 million in economic benefits.
“It’s worse than playing the stock exchange,” Laing says. “It’s like going to the bank and depositing a dollar, waiting 30 years and getting only 50 cents back.”
Laing says CAST is made up of residents of the eastern suburbs concerned at the environmental impacts of the NZTA’s proposals.
“The proposed roads will erode the quality of life in the eastern suburbs with a lot more congestion and pollution. Homeowners will also have to pay for their own soundproofing upgrades,” Laing says.
Capital Times readers also appear less than supportive of the NZTA’s roading plans. In a poll last month 91 percent of Capital Times respondents said the NZTA should go back to the drawing board over Wellington’s roading options, and in a poll last week 89 percent said the agency should consider the alternative plan for the Basin Reserve, released by the Architecture Centre.
Public consultation on the NZTA’s proposals close on August 26 with a decision on which option will go ahead expected by the end of the year.









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1 Comment
Patrick at 1:40 p.m. on 3 August said
I agree.
The roading proposals won't fix congestion, will increase noise and pollution, and cost us more than the benefits. More options please!