Fears NZTA will sideline Taranaki

Taranaki transport boss Roger Maxwell fears the region's roading needs could be "left out on a limb" if the nearest New Zealand Transport Agency office is moved to Palmerston North.

The NZTA has announced a review of its office structure in the Manawatu, Whanganui and Taranaki areas.

The review follows a recent move signed off by Taranaki's Regional Transport committee to merge the central (including Taranaki) and Wellington branches, Mr Maxwell said.

He fears the result will be the closure of the Whanganui office.

The committee only agreed to the merger on the basis that if they could not have an NZTA office in New Plymouth, then at least Whanganui was close, he said.

He has met NZTA state highways manager, David McGonigal to express his concern.

"I always thought our aim was to have a good partnership with NZTA," he said. "I didn't come away from that meeting full of confidence.

"We're out on a limb and we'll be out on a limb in terms of service and influence."

NZTA Central regional director Jenny Chetwynd said the review aimed to ensure NZTA provided effective services across the region.

"We're committed to ensuring the review delivers the best outcomes for the NZTA, our staff and stakeholders, and the region," she said.

"We will be talking to our staff and our stakeholders to get their input during September and October, to make sure all options are thoroughly considered."

The outcome of this review would be known in November, she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News