Green Party Co-Leader calls for Harbour Bridge pathway

Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons urges Transit New Zealand to take heed of a delegation from the Walk Auckland pedestrian advocacy group, which met with the Transit board today.

Transit New Zealand will begin strengthening work on the Auckland Harbour Bridge clip-ons in July 2008, but a walking and cycling pathway has been excluded from the project. The Walk Auckland group are asking Transit to reconsider that decision.

“Transit has always had a narrow focus on building highways for cars. Now, with petrol costs rising rapidly, and facing an urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, Transit needs to think about how it can enable people to get around without cars,” Ms Fitzsimons says.

“The project to strengthen the clip-ons is a major undertaking. Adding a walking and cycling pathway at a later date would ultimately cost more, and it might not take place for years.”

“The Harbour Bridge serves local communities. People don’t only use it to drive from Whangarei to Hamilton - many use it for getting from the North Shore to Auckland, or even just from Northcote to Ponsonby.

Aucklanders shouldn’t be forced to drive across the bridge, when they could have the option of walking or cycling,” Ms Fitzsimons says.