NZ experts call for South Pole road study

New Zealand scientists will join a lobby to get an environmental impact study done regarding a 1600km road in the South Pole developed by the United States.

The track goes from McMurdo Base to the polar plateau and is commonly used by tractor and trailer combinations.

A global coalition of environmental groups will lobby the 28 consultative parties to the Antarctic Treaty in Scotland next week for the study, it was reported yesterday. A report from the coalition warns of pollution from the activities and a possible increase in demand for tourism as a result of increased access.

One of two New Zealanders involved, Barry Weeber, said there were concerns the road and scientific work at the South Pole was coming at too high a price.

Others have said the area is becoming less and less of a natural environment. Sir Edmund Hillary, who drove 2000 kilometres from Scott Base to the South Pole on a tractor in 1957, wouldn't comment this week, but on an Antarctic visit in 2004 said that the road was "terrible".

Peter West, spokesman for the US Antarctic Programme, would not comment on the treaty submission or the road.

- NZPA