Local voices need to be heard on roading priorities

The Government must listen to local voices on the importance of regional roading to economic development, Labour List MP Andrew Little says.

Commenting on the release of Venture Taranaki's report on State Highway 3 North, Mr Little said it confirmed there are good benefit- cost ratios (BCR) for some upgrading projects on the road from New Plymouth to Waikato, some sections of which are prone to slips and flooding and nearly half of which is graded as poor quality.

“The best BCR was for improving the road just out of the city, encompassing the Waiwhakaiho bridge.

"The Government routinely holds Taranaki up as a model of economic development but the region doesn't get the support it deserves in terms of infrastructure investment.

"Today's report is a clear message to Steven Joyce and his Cabinet colleagues to re-think their Roads of National Significance programme and ensure funding is put into regional roading that can justify the investment.

“Taranaki's SH3 north is one of those roads,” Andrew Little said, adding that he has undertaken to use the report to pursue Taranaki's case in Wellington.