Petition against Basin Reserve flyover plan

MAARTEN HOLL/ The Dominion Post

TAKING A STAND: Greens co-leader Russel Norman, left, and MP Sue Kedgley, in hat, lead a group of protesters at the launch of a petition against a proposed flyover at Wellington's Basin Reserve.

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Upset that the public has been unable to have its say, opponents of a proposed flyover near Wellington's Basin Reserve have taken matters into their own hands.

Critics of the $33 million flyover plan have launched a petition calling on Greater Wellington regional council, Wellington City Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency to ditch the controversial proposal, along with plans to build a second Mt Victoria Tunnel.

Backed by the Greens, the petition urges greater focus on sustainable transport options, including bus lanes, light rail, and walking and cycling improvements.

It was launched at a sparsely attended protest at the Basin yesterday, led by Greens co-leader Russel Norman and MP Sue Kedgley.

"A lot of Wellingtonians really have no idea of what is being proposed," Ms Kedgley said.

"They've given it top billing in our transport strategy yet we don't even know what it's going to be. Most people are completely oblivious to it."

The flyover is in the design stage, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The Government has set aside $2.6m over the next two years in its latest roading strategy for improvements around the Basin Reserve. Improvements to State Highway 1 around the Basin are the region's second-highest roading priority.

The flyover is to link Mt Victoria Tunnel to the inner-city bypass, past the northern boundary of the Basin. Mayor Kerry Prendergast expects it to become reality in five years.

Councillor Andy Foster, the city council's transport spokesman, said the protest might be premature.

"We haven't had any consultation about the details of the Basin Reserve because we don't actually know yet. At the moment we have people protesting [against] a concept."

He said the community would be consulted once those details were available.

Kent Duston, of the Save the Basin Reserve Campaign, said the group was concerned the council had committed to the flyover while brushing aside cheaper alternatives.

"We are very concerned that when they finally get around to showing the public what this thing is going to look like, it will be too late to stop," he said.

Wellington councillor Celia Wade-Brown expected the flyover to be an election issue next year. Many of her colleagues had already decided the flyover was a good option, she said.

"If you love the city, the most important thing shouldn't be getting through it as fast as possible."