Leave Grey St alone now?

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

Is the Grey Street remodelling project now on a road to nowhere following the Transport Minister’s weekend statements?

Minister Simeon Brown has instructed NZTA/Waka Kotahi to immediately stop work on all such cycling and walking projects, and to not commit any more money to local authorities.

Minister Brown told Radio NZ the walking and cycling initiatives were “a waste of time and money”.

“My priority in transport is to build and maintain the roading network so that we can have a safe, efficient and productive transport network.”

More than 40 councils and groups have applied for funding, including Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust, working with the district council and NZTA.

Already shock and protest have come from councils around the country, as well as groups representing cycling and walking.

So with the Minister having made his policy clear, can we now leave Grey Street to do the job it is supposed to do — that is, provide a vital transport link within the city? This is a particularly important link for commercial vehicles in the surrounding area.

Roger Handford