Source: New Zealand Parliament
ORAL QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS
Question No. 1—Transport
1. TIM COSTLEY (National—Ōtaki) to the Minister of Transport: What announcements has he made about increasing the speed limit on State Highway 1?
Hon CHRIS BISHOP (Minister of Transport): Last week I announced what many New Zealanders, I know, have been looking forward to: the start of public consultation on increasing the speed limits to 110 kilometres per hour on Transmission Gully and the Raumati Straights—22,000 vehicles using this relatively new road daily; important regional connector; safe, modern, reliable route for all road users; it’s the main gateway into Wellington; and I’m very pleased that the Government is taking this important step to further enhance the road.
Tim Costley: Why is the Government considering this change now?
Hon CHRIS BISHOP: Delivering better quality infrastructure is part of the Government’s plan to grow the economy, reduce travel times, and increase the productivity of our transport network. We’re committed to providing State highways that get people where they need to go quickly and safely. Transmission Gully is designed and constructed to a very high safety standard, has very low crash numbers on the road since its opening in 2022, and safety features that greatly reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a crash.
Tim Costley: How can New Zealanders have their say on this proposal?
Hon CHRIS BISHOP: Consultation on raising the speed limits opened last Friday and will last for six weeks. People can submit on this consultation via the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) website as well as find more information on this proposal. I’m looking forward to the strong support of the local MP for the area it connects to, Tim Costley.
Tangi Utikere: Does he stand by Simeon Brown’s pledge to build the Ōtaki to north of Levin highway “no matter the cost”; and if so, why has the project now been scaled back, despite there having been a toll consultation process based on the original proposal?
Hon CHRIS BISHOP: NZTA is consulting on a range of measures in order to make the project more affordable because, like many projects we inherited from the previous Government in which the costings were almost literally done on the back of the envelope, the project is experiencing cost pressures.
DEPUTY SPEAKER: We’re not going to start with swipes at the Opposition.
