We'll help build roads says Brash

National Party leader Don Brash is offering to work with the Government to get tomorrow's roading plan for Auckland on the fast track.

He says new roads are being delayed by the need for Resource Management Act consents - so National will help reform the act.

The offer came as National announced its policy for solving the city's traffic problems.

It says improved legislation to do away with a long consents process is the key, and increased rates and fuel taxes are unnecessary.

"It's bigger than petty party politics," said Dr Brash.

The National Party is opposed to further petrol tax increases.

It says much of the money raised by the last tax increase was not spent on fixing roads.

Transfund had been left holding $225 million, said Dr Brash.

"We now know that it hasn't been possible to build new roads because of the problems gaining resource consents.

"That makes the redrafting of the Resource Management Act a critical first step."

Dr Brash said National was offering to help the Government pass legislation reforming the act to help fix Auckland's roads and facilitate other major developments.

"Getting approval to build a new road is one of the biggest hurdles," he said.

Unless the Resource Management Act was fixed, transport could not be fixed.

National is also opposed to rates increases as a solution.

Dr Brash said Auckland homeowners had been savaged enough.

What the package means

Tomorrow is D-Day for Auckland's transport future with the Government announcing a package of measures designed to fix the daily gridlock.

If the package is right, stakeholders in Auckland's transport say there is almost $1 billion worth of projects ready to go.

If it's wrong, the region faces years of increasing frustration as the situation deteriorates, they say.

Auckland councils have a list of ready-to-go measures. They are:

* Mt Roskill extension SH20: $139 million.

* Hobsonville deviation SH16: $89 million.

* North Shore busway/Esmonde Rd interchange: $127 million.

* Manukau extension SH20: $147 million.

* Waiouru interchange SH1: $10 million.

* Completion of Albany-Puhoi motorway: $149 million.

* Newmarket viaduct: $80 million.

* Grafton extension to SH16: $82 million.

* Greenlane interchange upgrade: $2.2 million.

Auckland transport leaders also want money for public transport schemes including:

* Double tracking of the western line and electrification of the heavy rail network.

* Extension of the rail line to Manukau city centre.

* Upgrade of suburban stations, security and car parking.

The transport package is expected to include fuel taxes, rates increases and toll roads, as well as a standalone transport authority and legislative changes to speed up the road-building process.

What the users think

* The taxi driver

Mica Markovic, a Serbian who has been in New Zealand for 10 years, drives around town often at peak times six days a week. He loves the North Shore and knows Auckland's traffic gridlock all too well. Mr Markovic spends up to $200 a week on fuel, but is philosophical about further charges. "Any additional expense is not good, especially for a cab driver, but if we need it to improve transport then it's worth it." He says rates are already too high.

* The businessman

Chartered accountant Des Trigg travels to work in the CBD from Murrays Bay, facing the daily trawl across the harbour bridge. "I escape the worst by leaving home very early and not travelling back until late in the evening." He spends about $60 a week in fuel and would happily accept increased taxes - provided the money went towards traffic improvements. "The best way is levying the product you use to travel." A user-pays system is better than increased rates.

* The mother

Stephanie Gustaffson, a Devonport mother of two, will not go to Newmarket after a recent 45-minute wait at the motorway onramp - despite it not being peak time. "It's really, really bad and with impatient youngsters screaming in the car it's worse." Her main journeys are shopping or ferrying children about. She spends $45 a week on petrol and won't drive before 10am or after 3pm if possible. She says the Government must do more to provide financial relief, but would grudgingly accept a petrol tax.

* The bus user

Executive assistant Blaire Kelsem works in the CBD and travels from Green Bay every day. He does have a car but prefers catching a bus to work anyway. "It's cheaper - there are no problems getting into town." He said Auckland's traffic problems were probably not as bad as those in Japan, where he lived for 14 years. His take on an increased petrol tax was straightforward: "The roads have to be paid for somehow. If it was a hike of 20 to 50 cents that would be unfair, [but] someone has to foot the bill."

- NZPA, STAFF REPORTER