I wish to respond to a text 27 July 're Cr Grainger voted against installation of Welcome Bay traffic lights, strange! Will he explain?”

My main objective when I first campaigned for the relief of major traffic congestion at the Welcome Bay, Hairini and 15th Ave areas was to get something done!

After putting together 2,500 petitions and a further 3,200 submissions, plus a public forum with the Mayor, MPs, Transit and Councillors, the Council had to listen and address the concern. This created a good backbone in having the strength and support from the community. This also created the next step forward to the NZTA (formerly Transit) to take some form of action with the help of Council. The NZTA at that time were on the verge of proceeding, with the TCC, WBOP and Regional Councils in the Western Bay, towards the latter stages of agreement towards the $450 million Eastern Arterial (Papamoa to Paengaroa, bypassing Te Puke).

I questioned this project because of the amount being spent – for what?

35% of our goods to the port is from the eastern direction, of which close to half of that, now and supported more in the future, comes by rail. Our major supply to and from the port is in the northern direction. This amount of nearly half billion dollars towards the Eastern Arterial is a large chunk of NZTA funding and I can say this has had an effect on our funding for the Central Corridor (15th Ave and underpass at Hairini). This led to the $4.5 million traffic lights at Welcome Bay and Maungatapu, which NZTA advised was only a TEMPORARY FIX.

My aim was to have the long term solution of the four lanes by joining both our highways on either side of the city and an underpass to Welcome Bay and Ohauiti (Central Corridor). This would take the weight off the state highway from Hamilton to the Mount at Hairini.

I have worked closely with our two MPs, Tony Ryall and Simon Bridges, who had made the promise for the Central Corridor before the last Government Election. They are still committed to their promise, although they now have to work the process through NZTA and that will take time. My aim is to keep them to their word.

I hope this explanation has answered your query.

Cr Bill Grainger