Highway to heaven - or hell

Readers' opinions on the proposed eastern highway are a two-way street.

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We live in Kohimarama and see congested Kepa Rd and Tamaki Drive.

My husband has his business in an office in the block of shops at Ti Rakau Drive so we are affected both ways and will no doubt eventually have to find new premises.

We are definitely for the proposed improvement.

- Margaret Mathieson. Kohimarama.

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Why spend money carving through Pakuranga and Orakei homes when there is already a rail link to the city?

Stations at Ireland Rd, Morrin Rd, Glen Innes and Orakei could have multi-deck carparks with the travel fare and car park fees combined and a rapid train every 10 minutes or less if necessary.

This, in conjunction with the present building of the Britomart rail terminus, makes more common sense than to use taxpayers' money to build through residential properties on the scale that is proposed by the two city councils.

- Len Smith. Howick.

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The problem is Auckland has too many people who are concentrated on a long skinny isthmus.

We need to limit Auckland's population.

- Bruce Brownlee. Papatoetoe.

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I support the eastern highway as the best option for improving the reducing traffic congestion in East Auckland.

This has been one of the fastest-growing regions in New Zealand for many years, yet woefully neglected to date in regard to access infrastructure.

With improved vehicle flows (versus stop start spluttering through congested suburban roads) and bus/car technology (in Christchurch we're making battery powered zero-emission buses!) pollution will also be reduced.

This expressway provides better public transport and better roads catering for the diverse needs of Aucklanders and includes cycleways.

It will reduce congestion and trucks along beautiful Tamaki Drive which can then be reclaimed for our families and cyclists.

- Robert Phillips. St Heliers.

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I support the eastern highway to improve the traffic congestion.

It will improve vehicle flows, reduce pollution, provide better public transport and includes cycleways.

It will reduce congestion along Tamaki Drive. Try cycling to work in the city at peak hour!

Our families are currently at risk with heavy traffic bursting past schools, churches and through our communities on roads never designed for this.

- Rachelle Kazenbroot. Mission Bay.

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Even though we knew that a motorway could well be built through our home eventually (in Aurea Ave), we are some 150m-200m away from Ti Rakau Drive - we never thought Ti Rakau Drive was part of the plan.

Also, when the reserved land was sold and developed, we gained the distinct impression that all motorway plans had been shelved permanently.

So when mayors Sir Barry Curtis and John Banks claim that residents knew that the eastern highway was on the cards, I can feel reasonably sure that this is news to Ti Rakau Drive residents since they were not part of historic plans.

- Mike Otto. Pakuranga.

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I have not yet seen objective analysis showing how this new road will reduce congestion over the long term, especially in light of overseas studies showing that building more roads does not solve traffic congestion and can make it worse.

We all appear to be taking it for granted that more roads are the answer, whereas experience in Australian and Canadian cities of comparable population density and geography to Auckland have shown that more roads do not produce less congestion.

- Ken Leech. Auckland.

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My house is on the other side of Ti Rakau Drive that may not be bulldozed, and therefore, I may be subjected to a lifetime of traffic noise, pollution, loss of enjoyment and loss of value on my property.

I am, at the least to say, very disappointed at how this has been handled by Sir Barry Curtis and the Manukau City Council and I do wonder what part of the title "public servant" they just don't understand!

- Tracey Taylor. Ti Rakau Drive.

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The opponents to the highway should try riding a bike up Kepa Rd as trucks thunder past inches away, covering you in diesel fumes. Trucks should be on a major arterial road, not residential.

I am involved in the shipping industry and witness first hand the choking effect the current roading infrastructure has on the Auckland economy.

To go forward, there must be some sacrifices.

The eastern highway is not a new idea and although you feel for those directly affected, it is like people buying a house next to Eden Park and then complaining about the noise and drunken fans.

- David Knowles. Orakei.

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We need better public transport, not more cars, and we definitely don't need the harbour ruined.

Can't we learn from experience of other growing cities or do we have to go through this stop-gap stage for the hell of it?

- Belinda Wilson.

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I am a firm opponent of the eastern highway being inflicted on the people of Auckland.

The corridor will only further contribute to the noise and pollution we are subjected to every day in this so-called clean, green and environmentally friendly city.

What is the matter with this city - why are we not passionate about preserving beautiful places and why is the car king?

- Marlene Reay. Auckland.

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I am a resident of Upland Rd and my house overlooks the Orakei Basin and the proposed route for the eastern corridor.

I am very much for the project as I believe it will greatly reduce the traffic on all the residential streets in our area.

The fact is that there is substantial traffic in this area now and this will continue to grow.

Auckland needs this desperately if it is to remain a pleasant place to live.

I would argue that at present the railway line is ugly and if the new motorway is built and adequately vegetated, it will be more aesthetically appealing than the current situation.

- Mark Maiden. Remuera.

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I support this new highway and wonder why the thousands and thousands of other people who suffer the increasingly congested Southern Motorway aren't speaking out.

I am aware that this highway has been talked of for at least 20 years, so many of those affected have bought their properties knowing that this was a possibility.

Nevertheless, I hope that there will be adequate compensation for those directly affected.

- Matthew Abel. Herne Bay.

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I believe Tamaki Drive should be designated a public parks area.

How many Aucklanders enjoy a walk, run, bicycle ride or inline skate along the waterfront daily?

The infrastructure is already in place, ie, roads feeding into alternative routes out of the city, and there are train tracks running from the city out beside the Orakei Basin.

In order to protect the serenity of the Auckland waterfront, the existing train trunk line should be used.

Perhaps a large depot can be built where people drive part-way to the city and ride the balance of the journey.

- Robert Platt.

* Letters have been abridged.

Feature: Getting Auckland moving

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