54 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.

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This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.

John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!

As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!

John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.

Share your question below now ⬇️

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5 days ago

Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.

When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?

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Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
  • 82.3% Yes
    82.3% Complete
  • 15.1% No
    15.1% Complete
  • 2.6% Other - I'll share below
    2.6% Complete
2194 votes
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Test Your Wits! Today's Riddle Will Keep You Guessing!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

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Stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies.
Present in the sun, but not in rain,
Doing no harm, and feeling no pain.
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