Media statement | 30 June 2008

Better integration  Land Transport NZ’s focus for Canterbury in 2008/09

More effective integration of land transport and land use activities is a key priority for the Canterbury region in the 2008/09 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).

Land Transport NZ today announced $2.7 billion in transport spending for New Zealand in the 2008/09 NLTP, including nearly $140 million allocated for investment in Canterbury’s land transport network. Of this, $76 million will be spent on road maintenance, an increase of $5.2 million over 2007/08. Just over $39 million will be used on local road maintenance and $36 million on state highway maintenance.  A further $26 million has been allocated for road policing activities in the Canterbury region.

NLTP funding has been committed to progress ongoing projects, including improving the Tram Road intersection in the Waimakariri district and updating the transportation model for Christchurch city.

In the past year NLTP funding has seen the successful completion of the following projects:

• construction of passing lanes on SH 1 at Rangitata, Ealing and Orari
• completion of new walking and cycling facilities in Waimakariri District, linking Pines Beach to Kaiapoi and linking West Eyreton school to its rural residential catchment.

Land Transport NZ Acting Southern Partnerships Manager Mark Yaxley says stakeholders in Canterbury have worked well over the past year to develop the Canterbury Regional Transport Implementation Plan. Government recently approved a $244 million transport funding package for the Canterbury region for the next 10 years.  

A total of $26 million has been allocated in the 2008/09 NLTP for passenger transport operations and total mobility activities in Canterbury. This amount includes the continuation of funding for the disabled and transport disadvantaged in the region through a subsidised taxi service.  

Mr Yaxley says increasing fuel prices have resulted in increases in the number of people using public transport in Christchurch. The City Council is expected to commence the design of a new central city bus exchange that will be better equipped to cope with growing demand for passenger transport in Christchurch. 

The following projects may also be funded during the 2008/09 year:

• design for four laning of Hills Road in Christchurch
• design of the Southern Motorway extension
• implementation of bus priority measures on up to three routes in Christchurch to improve service reliability on key corridors in the city. 

Mr Yaxley says the activities funded through the NLTP reflect Land Transport NZ’s objective of contributing to an integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable land transport system.

Regional newsletters, a fact sheet and the NLTP book, which details all projects in the 2008/09 NLTP, will be available at www.landtransport.govt.nz/funding/nltp/2008/ from 6pm today.

For further information:

Mark Yaxley
Acting Partnership Manager, Southern
(03) 964 2865 or 021 437 718