37 days ago

Fears motorway toll could leave North Canterbury town worse off

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

A community leader fears a toll on the proposed motorway extension could leave a North Canterbury town worse off.

Woodend-Sefton Community Board chairperson Shona Powell said she fears Woodend could face increased traffic without promised safety improvements, if a toll is introduced on the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway extension, which includes the proposed Woodend Bypass.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) last month announced consultation for a toll of $4.30 for light vehicles and $8.60 for heavy vehicles (including trucks) on the new 11km Manawatu Gorge Motorway, which will be completed next year.

It means commuters could be stung with paying an extra $43 a week in their travel costs.

The agency said the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway extension will be 9km, including the Woodend Bypass and the realignment and four laning south of Pineacres.

Woodend residents have been waiting for safety improvements since NZTA began consulting with the community eight years ago.

But the safety improvements have been placed on hold, pending the progress of the motorway extension.

‘‘My biggest concern is people will continue using the existing road through Woodend and will go through Kaiapoi or Tuahiwi to avoid paying the toll,’’ Powell said.

‘‘And Woodend may not get the safety improvements, so nothing changes.’’

Powell was also concerned the speed reduction from 100kph to 80kph on State Highway 1 between the Pegasus roundabout and Waikuku could be reversed, following changes to the Setting of Speed Limits rule being announced.

‘‘It was a speed limit requested by the community as a safety improvement.

‘‘To go back to having that fast speed limit for traffic coming from the north, it would just be disastrous.’’

NZTA director regional relationships James Caygill said the Government Policy Statement (GPS) on land transport requires the agency to consider tolling for new roads.

‘‘But it is too soon to discuss any potential tolling options until the scope and cost of this project has been confirmed’’.

Caygill was unable to confirm whether the 80kph speed limit between Pegasus and Waikuku would remain.

He said the agency will identify locations affected by the rule once it is finalised later in the year.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown said Waka Kotahi ‘‘is working at pace’’ to deliver the motorway extension.

‘‘NZTA’s project teams are reviewing the scope, design, cost, and timing of all Roads of National Significance projects to ensure consistency with expectations in the GPS on Land Transport 2024.’’

He said Government ‘‘will support any recommendation from NZTA to toll roads’’.

The Government was also committed to ‘‘reversing Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions’’, Brown said.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

More messages from your neighbours
3 days ago

Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.

Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.

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Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
  • 64.3% Yes
    64.3% Complete
  • 33.4% No
    33.4% Complete
  • 2.3% Other - I'll share below
    2.3% Complete
2172 votes
1 day ago

Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.

Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.

To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.

It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.

“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.

“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”

A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.


The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.

Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.

“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”

A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.

“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”

*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz

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D
1 day ago

Cottage, small house wantd to rent

Desley from Swannanoa - Ohoka

Wanted cottage, small house to rent for step dad, with garage or shed for doing up old car. Quiet and reliable teanant. Fit, no smoking or pets