Transmission Gully wins support of regional council

A proposal for alleviating the lower North Island's traffic woes inched closer to reality yesterday after Wellington Regional Council gave its backing to Transmission Gully.

The regional transport committee voted overwhelmingly to include the motorway in its Western Corridor Plan.

This followed a Wellington City Council report this month recommending supporting the option - overturning long-standing opposition by the council.

In announcing the policy u-turn, city council transport spokeswoman Mayor Kerry Prendergast cited "overwhelming public support" for Transmission Gully, and new information on project costs and feasibility.

Yesterday's vote was 15-1 in favour with two abstentions.

The new Western Corridor Plan will be recommended to the Greater Wellington Regional Council for inclusion in the Regional Land Transport Strategy, which sets out the region's expectations for future investment by Government agencies in transport infrastructure.

However, the ultimate decision on whether to fund the motorway will be taken by Land Transport New Zealand after it has received a funding application from Transit.

In making its application for funding, Transit must take into account a number of matters including the Regional Land Transport Strategy.

- NZPA