Four out of ten for Simon’s Bridges

30 June 2015



Four out of ten for Simon’s Bridges



The Transport Authority’s decision to fund only four of the 10 bridges promised in National’s shameless Northland by-election bribe is a huge embarrassment for Transport Minister Simon Bridges, Labour’s Transport spokesperson Phil Twyford says.

“After one by-election poll showed they were in trouble, National panicked and threw $70 million of taxpayers’ money at 10 bridges – most of which weren't even listed as priorities in the local Council's transport plan.

“However, NZTA has today ruled out funding the Hallahans, Lowes, and Darby and Joan bridges. It is continuing to investigate funding three others: the Tirohanga, Rangiahau and Taheke bridges.

“This is yet another broken promise from National. John Key, Steven Joyce and Simon Bridges all promised these bridges would be built whoever won the by-election.

“Sadly it isn’t only Northland missing out. The Government’s much-touted projects to replace the Motu Bridge in Gisborne and the Opawa and Wairau bridge in Marlborough have also missed out on funding.

“With only a 6 per cent increase in local road funding it isn’t likely these regions are going to get any other support to make up for this.

“People living in regional New Zealand deserve better than this neglect,” Phil Twyford says.

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