Motorway critics band together to fight 'highway robbery'

Opponents of an Auckland toll road have banded together in a last-ditch bid to block a proposed $2 tolled 7.5km motorway between Orewa and Puhoi.

The Cabinet is understood to have approved the $330 million highway, which includes a bridge over the Waiwera estuary and twin tunnels through Johnson's Hill. The new link is expected to get the go-ahead today.

But lobby group Highway Robbery Inc has been formed to fight the plans.

The group is preparing for a press conference after the announcement when it is understood members will mount a legal challenge.

Hans Grueber, who lives in Waiwera and is spokesman for the group, said there was a strong case.

Under the Land Transport Management Act, criteria for tolling includes an alternative, safe, free route and "a high degree of support from affected communities".

Dr Grueber said that kind of support did not exist.

A survey by road-builder Transit NZ last year, which indicated widespread support, was "fatally flawed".

"This project is the thin end of the wedge and won't solve anything," Dr Grueber said.

"Politically, it's stupid that we have to fight it, but we have a strong case."

The road is expected to reduce travelling time and traffic congestion round Orewa and Silverdale.

Transport Minister Pete Hodgson estimates that the toll would be in place for 30 years to meet the cost of building the road.

But another opponent of user-pays, the Rodney Economic Development Trust's chief executive, Mike Smith, said the authorities could have difficulty in providing a safe alternative free route.

"With the accident record on the existing route, it's not safe and does not meet that criteria," Mr Smith said.

He said truck drivers and many motorists would not pay when the free route was only "eight or nine minutes" longer.

The Government was merely shifting the problem rather than concentrating on solving the issue of a motorway link right up to Whangarei and Northland.

But Mr Smith said Orewa residents had "put up with enough" and, though not ideal, a toll road was better than nothing.

The tolling system is likely to include electronic equipment that means cars fitted with the right devices will not have to stop at toll gates but be invoiced later.

The Government is also understood to be prepared to talk about public-private partnerships for roading, also allowed for under new legislation.

Dr Grueber said internationally, authorities were steering away from that option because "it has proved a disaster everywhere".

"It's the wrong road in the wrong place and the wrong financing. We are going back to the privatisation of the 80s and 90s all over again."

A spokesman for Mr Hodgson said the minister would not comment before today's announcement.