Generation Zero says it is outraged to see that a road only connection is being progressed for the new Auckland Waitemata Harbour crossing, in new documents released by Transport Blog, rather than a crossing that has both a road and rail connection.Generation Zero is growing a movement of young New Zealanders working to cut carbon pollution through smarter transport, liveable cities, and independence from fossil fuels.
Documents published by Transport Blog, using the Official Information Act, show that the government only plans to designate a road based crossing.
Generation Zero says this is a sharp contrast to how its agency NZTA presented the project to the public to date, saying that the tunnels include provision for Rapid Transit.
Generation Zero Auckland Director, Leroy Beckett, describes NZTA’s decision to cut a public transport connection as outrageous.
“The decision to cut public transport links from the original Harbour Bridge is deemed to have a been a huge mistake, and it is outrageous NZTA are planning to repeat this,” says Beckett.
The document effectively confirms that the NZTA will not include rail designations as part of its work and that instead it is up to Auckland Transport. They also note that the ‘lack of clarity’ around rail is the main risk to the route protection process.
“Auckland Transport are missing in action from this important process. It has known NZTA have been progressing this crossing for years and have failed to undertake long-term planning that could inform NZTA’s designation process,” says Beckett.
“The government and Auckland Transport must work together to ensure planning and for a combined road, and rail crossing is progressed at the same time,” he says.
Generation Zero is calling for a rail connection to be at the top of the agenda this election.
“After the city rail link is built the next major area of development is the North Shore. A rail connection from the North Shore to the city, and through to the Airport is the next significant milestone for Auckland, as we’ve outlined in our Congestion Free Network,” says Beckett.
http://transportblog.co.nz/2016/05/23/another-road-only-harbour-crossing-on-the-cards/
