Introduction
Building a flyover next to the Basin Reserve, doubling the Mt Victoria tunnel and widening Ruahine St and Wellington Rd does not adequately address Wellington's inner-city transport needs. The business case is not robust enough to warrant such a costly project and funds could be better spent on a more integrated transport solution that incorporates better public transport and safer walking and cycling options. The loss of heritage values and the impact on local communities is of particular concern. Only offering two options of the same flyover does not give Wellingtonians enough choice. The NZTA should genuinely listen to public submissions and design a plan that enhances public transport and active modes.
Recommendation
The Green Party recommends the NZTA make urgent investment in public transport and active modes. In particular, we support light rail from the CBD out to the airport. We prefer Option X over Options A and B, however support public and active transport improvements over car-based road-works.
Transport Issues
· The current and projected traffic volumes both locally and nationally do not warrant such a costly project. The NZTA have provided no evidence that congestion is worsening around the Basin Reserve. Traffic volumes on the State Highway network have been static since 2006 and have fallen by around 2% in the last 12 months.
· In contrast, demand for public transport is increasing and congestion could be largely mitigated by better traffic signalling and bus priority measures at a fraction of the cost.
· The NZTA has provided no evidence that travel times for motorists to or from the airport will be improved by these changes.
· The current plan will induce more traffic for years to come and will only worsen congestion and noise and air pollution for Mt Victoria, Hataitai and Kilbirnie residents.
· An urban motorway that runs through busy suburbs will not achieve free-flowing traffic. While two sets of traffic lights will be removed around the Basin Reserve, the changes in Ruahine Street and Wellington Road will add two sets of traffic lights.
· Demand for access onto Ruahine St as well as pedestrian access to the (severely reduced) town belt will impede the flow of traffic out to the airport.
· The Ngauranga to Airport Corridor Plan requires that public transport be prioritized for investment. The current plan does very little to improve public transport at all. The NZTA is a signatory to the Ngauranga to Airport Corridor Plan and should be providing better public transport solutions.
· The project does not provide safe and easy access to the town belt and Basin Reserve for pedestrians and cyclists. The fact the proposed cycle lane is listed as 'optional' demonstrates the NZTA are not serious about providing safe access for pedestrians and cyclists.
· The inner city bypass did not provide any of its proposed benefits and there is no evidence that this project will do any better. The Quays were meant to be reduced to four lanes as a result, this has never happened. Travel times have not increased. Heritage buildings beside the bypass remain uninhabited. The Willis St/motorway entrance intersection is simply unsafe for pedestrians.
· Flyovers are ugly and regrettable and many cities around the world have replaced them with attractive urban design. 79% of submissions from previous consultation opposed a flyover.
· New Zealand has a global responsibility to enact transport policies that reduce carbon emissions. This project makes no effort to address this responsibility and will only increase emissions.
· Oil prices will continue to sway the trend of private vehicle use towards public transport. The NZTA need to provide affordable public transport solutions for Wellington that will build resiliency towards future oil price hikes.
Business Case
· New Zealand is in a recession and has to rebuild one of its major cities. In a climate of fiscal restraint spending half a billion dollars on a project with a negative BCR is unacceptable.
· The estimated costs are highly optimistic. The inner city bypass exceeded its budget by more than 60%. The estimated costs of building the flyover have already doubled.
· The Government will have to borrow hundreds of millions to fund its RoNS projects. When debt levels are at an all-time high, further burdening taxpayers with debt for a project with a negative BCR is untenable.
· The Economic Evaluation model used by the NZTA is questionable and does not take into account the wider costs such as house price depreciation, impacts on local economies, health and accident costs, loss of aesthetic value and wellbeing and depreciation of heritage buildings. If these wider and long-term costs are factored into the equation the economic benefit of this project is negligible.
Heritage
· Both Flyover options will negatively impact on the amenity of the Basin Reserve, a heritage-listed precinct. It will be an 8 metre high eyesore that will significantly increase traffic noise and air pollution for cricket fans. The construction of a second stand to hide the worst aspects of the flyover is an added cost that is not required for sporting fixtures.
· Flyover option A will displace the historic Sisters of Compassion creche. The creche was built in 1914 so the Sisters of Compassion could continue the pioneering creche service begun by Mother Suzanne Aubert (1835-1926). Offering to move it to another location is a piecemeal solution that will remove much its historical value.
· The war memorial is a place of contemplation and respect and should remain so. It is totally unacceptable that the current plan will destroy this atmosphere.
· Virtually the whole of Paterson St, along with its 19th century heritage houses, will be lost.
· Much of Wellington's heritage and social history is in the firing line and to many Wellingtonians it is an invaluable area that should be protected.
Community Impact
· The induced traffic will congest local roads to the detriment of local residents.
· Dozens of home owners will be displaced and residents close by will have to watch their property prices drop significantly.
· Ministry of Health studies have already demonstrated the negative health effects of vehicle emissions in the Mt Victoria tunnel. Doubling its size will only increase air particulate pollution for local residents, pedestrians and cyclists.
· Cutting off access from the Hataitai shops will prove to be inconvenient and unpopular with Hataitai residents who will have to queue up at Goa St to get into town.
· A large section of the town belt will be lost and adequate compensation has not been included.
Solution
· There is no need for a flyover, another tunnel and road widening measures. When state highway volumes are static this project is superfluous to Wellington's inner city transport needs.
· More investment in public transport, safer cycling and walking would significantly improve travel in this area at a much smaller cost.
· The NZTA should listen to the community's submissions and go back to the drawing board and design an integrated transport solution that accommodates all modes of transport.
· The NZTA should fast-track light rail for Wellington which would greatly improve transport out to the airport.
