Government’s plan to construct Roads of National Significance is a decade too late, says Canadian transport expert

Todd Litman, a transport expert visiting Wellington from the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, told a recent Motu Economic and Public Policy Research Centre seminar that the Government’s Roads of National Significance plans (which include the proposed Basin Reserve flyover) are a decade too late, because car use has peaked.

As reported by Wellington Scoop, Todd Litman said:

It’s time to employ a new urban planning model – one that favours accessibility over mobility – in order to meet increased consumer demand for walking, cycling and public transport.

Todd Litman went on to make some points that all New Zealand transport planners – and political parties – should be listening to. To again quote the Wellington Scoop report:

Decline in the auto industry is due to an ageing population, increases in fuel cost, urbanization, traffic and parking congestion, roading costs, changing consumer preferences, environmental and health concerns. He cited an Economist article from 22 September 2012 that went further, showing how the next generation is less inclined to get behind the wheel, and not even learning how to drive until later in life, if at all.

“Change in consumer demands is a terrific opportunity to save money and satisfy people’s demand for walking, biking, and public transport,” he added. “Unfortunately, the planning community is not taking advantage of this. We need to expand the scope of planning objectives. Formerly, it was focused on the speed of travel. I think there are a number of other objectives.”

The full presentation and audio from Todd Litman’s presentation have now been placed online by Motu. You can access them here:

http://www.motu.org.nz/building-capacity/past_public_policy_seminars#2013

We’d like to congratulate Motu for having the foresight to organise this seminar – and thank Todd Litman for bringing a reality check to a New Zealand transport planning scene that is dominated by outdated assumptions and business-as-usual thinking.

Did You Know NZTA’s Proposed Flyover Only Runs From East To West?

When people hear about the 9-metre-high, 380-metre-long flyover the New Zealand Transport Agency is planning to build next to the Basin Reserve, one thing above all else comes as a surprise to them – that the proposed flyover runs only one way.

That’s right – NZTA’s proposed flyover would run from east to west – that is, from the Mt Victoria tunnel towards the National War Memorial and the new tunnel under Memorial Park.

So if people from the western suburbs try to tell you that the proposed flyover will make it easier to get to the airport, you can quickly put them right.

(Of course, even if you were travelling from east to west, the proposed flyover will only lead you to a long wait at a set of traffic lights – so it’s not like eastern suburbs residents gain anything, either.)

Save The Basin T-shirts For Sale

Want to look good, spread the “No Flyover” message and help us raise money? Then buy a “No Flyover” T-shirt (standard or Barmy Army-branded) from the Save the Basin Campaign. Or take advantage of our special offer on orders of 2 standard Ts!

Two Types of T-Shirt: Standard, and Barmy Army Souvenir

We have two types of “No Flyover” T-shirt available for sale: Standard, with the “No Flyover” image on the front, and the special Barmy Army-branded March 2013 Basin Test souvenir edition, with the Barmy Army logo and the dates of the March 2013 NZ v England Test at the Basin on the back, and the “No Flyover” logo on the front. With our “ print my logo” campaign going on, it is the perfect time to try stuff out!

Check them out:

Standard No Flyover T
Standard No Flyover T
Souvenir Barmy Army T - front
Souvenir Barmy Army T – front
Souvenir Barmy Army T - back
Souvenir Barmy Army T – back

Buy the Barmy Army Souvenir T via TradeMe

The Barmy Army Ts are also available through TradeMe. Buy them here:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=592515021

The information below relates to ordering Standard and Souvenir Ts directly from Save the Basin.

Sizes

Standard T-shirts are available in XL, L and M

Barmy Army T-shirts are available in XL and L

Please specify the size(s) you want in your order.

Making your order

Please email your order to stoptheflyover@gmail.com with the subject line “T-shirt order”.

Please specify:

  • Your name
  • Your postal address
  • The type(s) of T-shirt you want, and the numbers of each
  • The size(s) you want

Prices

Orders within NZ (prices include p&p):

Standard “No Flyover” Ts

One T-shirt: $20
Two T-shirts: $30

Barmy Army-branded “No Flyover” Ts

$24.50 per T-shirt (no volume discount)

Overseas orders

For overseas orders, send your request to stoptheflyover@gmail.com, and give your address details.A quote for the P&P will be emailed to you.

Payment

Please pay by making an online payment to Save the Basin Campaign Kiwibank account: 38-9011-0725227-01

In the reference fields, please include your name and “T Shirt”.

If you’re not able to pay online, please send a cheque to “Save the Basin Campaign” at

Save the Basin Campaign, PO Box 19-056, Courtenay Place, Wellington 6149

Important note: Orders will not be sent until payment has been received.

This is an easy way to spread the message while looking good and helping us financially. We look forwards to your order!

Save The Basin Campaign Congratulates Save Kapiti On Decision To Appeal

The Save the Basin Campaign has congratulated the Save Kapiti group on its decision to appeal against the decision of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Board of Inquiry into the proposed Kapiti Expressway. Save the Basin Co-Convenor Tim Jones said “We admire and respect the way Save Kapiti has coped with everything the NZTA and the Government have thrown at them. The NZTA have tried buying opposition off, they’ve tried bullying, and they’ve tried to bleed Save Kapiti dry financially through an EPA Board process which is heavily weighted in the applicant’s favour. And none of it has worked.”

“We salute Save Kapiti’s resilience and determination,” Tim Jones continued, “and we wish them all the best for their appeal.”

You can read the Save Kapiti press statement announcing the appeal on Wellington Scoop: http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=55014, and find out more information on the Save Kapiti website.