Motorway foes to flex their muscle

By NATASHA HARRIS

Opponents of the proposed eastern motorway met last night with new vigour in the face of a shakeup of the city's public transport.

About 450 people attended a meeting organised by lobby group Stop the Eastern Motorway (Stem) to push their view that the motorway is a "dumb idea".

Stem, the Hobson Bay Residents' Network and Meadowbank Action Group say Auckland's proposed new public transport company - revealed by the Herald last week - adds impetus to their fight that public transport is more sustainable than a new motorway.

Stem executive officer Richard Lewis urged residents potentially affected by the motorway to "stretch their political muscle" at next year's local body elections and vote for anti-motorway councillors.

"We can't find one valid reason to build this motorway. We will fight them [politicians and councillors] on the beach. We will never surrender," he said to applause.

Christine Caughey, from the residents' network, and Dr Peter Mazany, of the Meadowbank group, criticised Auckland City councillors for "hoodwinking" residents and called for a good rail system instead of a motorway.

Appearing on behalf of the council were Scott Milne, Greg McKeown and Victoria Carter.

Mayor John Banks did not attend, although his adviser, Tony Garnier, was present.

While residents listened to Ms Carter's speech on the importance of a better transport system, they heckled Mr McKeown, who said "doing nothing is not an option".

"An option is to have a triple-track railway, where two tracks are used for commuters and the third for freight ...

"There are alternatives and I should expect these to come out of the study," he said.

"I'm happy for an analytical study to be done on the form and the alignment of the motorway."

A petition asking the city council, Auckland Regional Council and Transport Minister Paul Swain to oppose the eastern motorway was set up at the meeting.

It is estimated the 27km highway will cost up to $2.9 billion and destroy hundreds of houses.

Opus International Consultants, which is looking at 11 feasible routes, has received about 3000 submissions.

The preferred option is expected to be revealed in March.