Draft Canterbury Regional Land Transport Programme 2009-2019

The draft Canterbury Regional Land Transport Programme 2009-2019 has been released by Environment Canterbury. Basically, this outlines the plan for what transport projects in the Canterbury region will be undertaken within the next ten years, who will pay for them and who will fund them. I'll provide a bit more of an analysis on this later but for now check it out here .

It still leaves me worried about the future of our transport network, as the whole thing stinks of a lack of cohesion (too many separate bodies responsible for developing transport infrastructure, especially public transport) and a lack of foresight. Regarding the latter point, I see little sustainable transport initiatives and certainly few initiatives that will result in a substantial shift of transport modes which would negate the increasing rates of car usage in our growing city (despite this being a paramount concern of the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Forum).

While this report clearly identity's where funding for transport will come from it still fills me with uncertainty as to when key public transport projects will be completed. Projects, such as park and ride in Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Rolleston, which could potentially reduce congestion and slash long car journeys in these areas everyday still seem far off. In Auckland I see park and ride, new bus and rail stations being built as well as rail duplication and electrification. In Wellington extensions to the electric rail network on the Kapiti Coast are planned and new Electric Multiple Unit train sets are on the way for 2010. Where is Christchurch's investment? Does it really take this long for park and ride to be developed for two bus routes? How long must we wait for bus lanes and other bus priority projects? Christchurch is New Zealand's second largest city (and growing) are we to make do with a few motorway extensions and state highway passing lanes? Investment in these key public transport projects would be of enormous benefit to local lifestyles and the local economy. Why is there no support? There is no excuse. As I've outlined above I'll make a more substantial analysis of the draft CRLTP soon. Until then...