Future users of the Eastern Busway public transport project will benefit from the Government’s decision to scrap the proposed $785 million cycle bridge across the Waitemata Harbour.
Transport Minister Michael Wood announced on October 2 the Northern Pathway, of which the cycle bridge was a part, will not go ahead.
The Government has listened to feedback and decided to reallocate funding for the cycle bridge to other projects that reduce emissions and congestion, including the Eastern Busway, he says.
“It [the cycle bridge] didn’t get the public support needed for a project of its scale and we acknowledge that.
“Auckland will continue to see significant investment to support the economic recovery and get the city moving, which is why it’s our intention to use part of this funding to bring the Eastern Busway forward.”
Auckland Transport (AT) revealed in June last year the Eastern Busway project was to be delayed by two years due to funding constraints.
That news was met with much criticism, including from east Auckland residents, local MPs Simeon Brown and Christopher Luxon, and Howick ward councillors Sharon Stewart and Paul Young.
The MPs say the move to cancel the cycle bridge and speed up the busway’s construction is an “overdue win for east Aucklanders, ratepayers and common sense”.
“National has consistently called on the Government to scrap the cycle bridge and prioritise the Eastern Busway,” Luxon says.
“It’s obvious the cycle bridge has only been dumped because the Government realised it was overwhelmingly hated by New Zealanders.”
Brown says the decision should have happened months ago.
“Because of Labour’s lack of prioritisation, we’ve lost six months of possible progress on the Eastern Busway and the Reeves Road flyover.
“A cycle bridge serving 3000 people on a nice day never stood up against the Eastern Busway, which will connect 30,000 people a day to education and employment.”
Both MPs say the Government must commit to building the Eastern Busway and the Reeves Road flyover on time and in full by 2025.
Stewart says it’s “great news” and thanks mayor Phil Goff, AT, and Brown and Luxon for continually lobbying the Government and organising public meetings to “keep the pressure on”.
“This project was first mooted back in 1974 under [the former] Manukau City [Council] and has suffered many setbacks over the years.
“The last was the reduction in funding by the current Government some six months ago, putting the project back a number of years.
“Hopefully there will be no further delays in this project and we can also get onto the much-needed link to the airport.”
Young says he remained committed to finding a way to bring forward funding for the Eastern Busway.
“This decision shows what can be achieved if we stay positive and work collaboratively for the community.
“If we want to earn the confidence of Aucklanders and are serious about meeting our emissions reductions goals, we should be speeding the busway up, not slowing it down.”
Young says the announcement is recognition of the “decades of underinvestment” east Auckland has faced under previous local and central governments.”
