However, Option “3” Technically not Ruled Out

 

Last night the ‘Respect our Community Campaign’ group broke the news on Twitter that NZTA and Auckland Transport had shelved “Option 4” of the East-West Link and announced it at a public meeting last night. You can see the “breaking” Tweets at the “BREAKING NEWS – EAST WEST LINK CONSIDERATION” post from last night.

A very brief summary of the East-West Link and the four options (does not include a “user-group” option known as Option 8 (which is an enhanced Option 3)) is below:

Option 8’s graphic is at the bottom of this post [note for clarification: Option 8 is a “user-group” drawing on what they would like to see for an East-West Link. It is based on the NZTA/Auckland Transport Option 3 East West Link concept. Please bear in mind that Option 3 is the OFFICIAL concept with Option 8 a user-group’s “wish list”].

Naturally I was very thrilled to hear NZTA and Auckland Transport shelve Option 4 – especially as I had friends and family in the direct firing line of that particular option of the East-West Link.

 

This media statement from ROCC sums up their jubilation:

MEDIA STATEMENT:

The ‘Respect Our Community Campaign’ warmly welcomes the announcement tonight by NZTA & Auckland Transport that they have finally dropped all plans to construct an East-West link road through the communities of south Auckland.
This is a major victory for ‘people power’ as the communities of Mangere, Otahuhu & Wymondley have united in an unprecedented, massive campaign to protect their neighbourhoods from unnecessary destruction by the Government plans to bulldoze a motorway through the area.
About 7000 locals signed petitions protesting the plans, and over 300 prominent community leaders voiced strong opposition to the motorway proposal. Two campaign newspapers have been letterboxed throughout the entire area by teams of volunteers, and hundreds of angry residents attended a series of protest meetings demanding that the motorway plans be abandoned and that our communities be respected.

Democracy and common sense have prevailed over ‘motorway madness’ at last.

—ends—

 

NZTA and Auckland Transport also released a media statement last night:

NORTH IS KEY FREIGHT PRIORITY FOR EAST-WEST

Auckland Transport and the NZ Transport Agency say that providing better connections for freight in Auckland’s industrial hub of Onehunga/Penrose will release early benefits for East-West related investments.

Auckland Transport Key Agency Initiatives Group Manager, Rick Walden says, “the work we’ve done to date supports focussing our efforts to the north of Manukau Harbour. This is likely to solve a number of transport-related issues in the economically significant area of Auckland.

“Our focus on the north side is the key priority for our two organisations for at least the next decade and no new major road links will be progressed on the south side of the Manukau Harbour between SH1 and SH20 at this stage. This will be welcomed by communities in the South who have expressed concerns regarding the potential impacts of the East-West Link.”

Mr Walden says that Auckland is a growing city and in order to meet anticipated growth, future investment throughout the city – including South Auckland – will be required.

“We’ll continue to work closely and collaboratively with communities to find the best solutions to maximise our public transport infrastructure, as well as enhancements to existing roads before any new roads are considered.”

The Transport Agency’s Acting Auckland Highways Manager Steve Mutton adds that evidence highlights the economic importance of the Onehunga/Penrose area, and that improving access for freight will be an important component of improving and growing Auckland’s economy.

“This area is Auckland’s industrial heartland employing some 60,000 people and it continues to grow. Ensuring that freight has safe and efficient connections to and from the state highways is a key priority for us.

“Improvements being considered for the Onehunga/Penrose area provide better access for freight and commercial vehicles to the state highway network from this heavy industrial area – while keeping other road users safe.”

“Our studies show that many of the benefits can be realised without major roading investments to the south side of the Manukau Harbour.” says Mr Mutton.

Mr Mutton says that further work is required to determine the preferred option and any likely impacts.

“We’ll continue to work with our stakeholders and customers as these investigations progress to make sure we get the best possible solutions in place for local communities and Auckland as a whole,” he says

Source: http://transportblog.co.nz/2014/01/16/further-thoughts-on-the-east-west-announcement/

–ends–

So while good news for the South, as Matt from Transport Blog put in bold there are pieces from that statement that have me also keeping a sharp eye on the East-West Link.

Technically and effectively Options 3 (and 8 if it now picks up steam after Option 4 was shelved and attention turns back to the north of the Manukau Inlet) are not off the table so I say our transport authorities might be looking at them closely – especially as the Government has committed big money for the East-West Link.

 

That said and looking at the media statements we could get what AMETI was to the Eastern Transport Corridor (Eastern Highway) with the East West Link (find the best solutions to maximise our public transport infrastructure, as well as enhancements to existing roads before any new roads are considered.”) Or Option 8 happens (which means does the Government want to full hog it and finish the Eastern Highway Sub Regional Option as well 😛 ) and we all wonder what just happened.

From the NZ Herald:

Motorway assurance to schools

By Mathew Dearnaley

5:30 AM Thursday Jan 16, 2014

…

Transport Agency acting highways manager Steve Mutton said evidence highlighted the economic importance of the Onehunga-Penrose area, and that improving access for freight would be important for Auckland’s growth.

Auckland Business Forum chairman Michael Barnett said the economic importance of the area demanded far more than an upgrade of existing roads.

Prime Minister John Key included an east-west freight link in an $11 billion-plus list of Auckland transport projects for which he last year promised Government funding.

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11187199

…

Ignoring Barnett who seems wounded after NZTA and Auckland Transport saw reason there is the matter of our industrial heart (Onehunga-Penrose) that needs to be addressed. The area is one of two heavy industrial areas of Auckland (the other is Wiri (Drury South is not online yet)) and is a true engine room of not only Auckland but also New Zealand. Transport links in and out of both heavy industrial areas is critical – although not at the expense of communities. However, we also have the major issue of land use and natural progression.

 

I have mentioned it before that Councillor Bill Cashmore from Franklin Ward did ask Auckland Transport about over time the heavy industry moving from Penrose-Onehunga due to conflicts (residential, commercial and land values (industry does not like expensive land)) and heading south (Wiri, Takanini, Drury South and even Te Rapa) where there are no conflicts and possibly better economic benefits (less congestion further south for inter-city traffic). Thus I would highly recommend Auckland Council and the Government via the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (meh that is a mouthful) to undertake a comprehensive study on our future land use. There is no point building huge hulking transport links for an industrial area if that industrial area is naturally going to head else where. Something I might bring up with the Auckland Development Committee sooner rather than later (although I do know our Deputy Mayor and some Councillors are acutely aware of the situation).

 

Well done to Respect Our Community Campaign on a very fine grassroots campaign that came to a head last night with the announcement from Auckland Transport. It shows there is a ray of sunshine in those dark brooding clouds when it comes to our bureaucracy. I take my hat off to ROCC. Now AT and NZTA the next move is yours… What shall it be? South Auckland and Auckland waits and sees…

Option 8 (not official NZTA/AT Document nor Designation)