No

Aside from the fact that there is I understand no central government funding available and this project would cost many millions and burden rate-payers for decades, I dont think it solves the problems we will face over the next few years, let alone for decades to come.

Nelson faces two traffic issues - the first is that of total traffic volumes is mild and I believe that even if we did nothing, that problem would eventually go away, as motoring costs become more and more expensive and peoples ability to travel one person one car is compromised.  Travel Demand Management and public transport will speed and smooth the transition to less-fuel dependant lives easier. In short, flow can be reasonably easily controlled.

The other problem is that of the heavy traffic along Tahuna/Rocks Road which is of course undesirable, and has undeniably got worse in a short time. The   changes at the Tahuna Traffic Lights & the majority of those around our beach area seem to cater not for the Tahunanui Community or others living within walking or cycling distance, but for those in vehicles either wish to simply pass through or drive from elsewhere to the beach - all in all, an expensive mess.

In trying to find the solution to heavy-goods traffic, we need to focus on the problems we will face in the future, not keep looking at the ones we have faced in the past, because I think we are in a time of change. I don\'t think extrapolating the last five or ten years gives a meaningful prediction of what is to come.  Firstly, all of the projections for traffic volume increase and heavy traffic increase contained in the arterial study are based on oil price assumptions that are about as rosy as you can get and if even slightly more realistic numbers are used the volume figures would look quite different. There were many solutions on the table some time ago (18 I believe) and one of the criteria for picking which options were pursued was that they had to cope with increased flow - I wonder then if some good options were prematurely discarded at that time, and if we are even asking the right questions now.

Secondly, nowhere during this whole roading debate has there been any discussion about the impact that the ongoing credit crunch and peak oil will have on all our primary industries  They are already adjusting to complex changes in world trade, and all these factors are likely to radically change the dynamics of their business because they are all so dependent on cheap fuel (heavy machinery and transport) - bearing in mind that it is these very industries that are responsible for the bulk of our heavy traffic, I would have thought that was an important point.   Does it mean these industries will disappear? No it doesn’t, but it does mean they will have some massive headwinds to contend with, so to assume they will continue to grow in some linear fashion based on what we have seen in the past is just plain wrong. We might for example better focus on exporting value added goods rather than selling cheap \'logs\' for processing overseas.

If we get the transport question wrong in this town by looking backwards instead of forwards we will spend a huge amount of money that we need not have, and do a good job of dividing our city in the process.  I don’t want that to happen, and I don’t believe anyone else does either.

Helen, We need to keep the route open as it has been planned for for a long time. I am concerned about the physical impact of heavy trucks (getting heavier) on a poorly constructed Rocks Road, as well as the conflict with other users! Tahunanui is badly affected by the main road and its traffic. I know that trucks may not want to use the Southern Arterial route, but we need to keep it an option for the future. i do want much more tarffic demand management on all routes to minimise conflicts and make the journeys easier, and get more public transport too. We could even get people to modify their journety times and work starts/finishes!

Hugh Briggs (Candidate and a Planning Consultant involved in the study workshops!)

Short answer is that I am "against" this proposal, for a number of good reasons. However, the more debate we have on this topic, the more complexity emerges, and the more I am convinced that no decision ought to be made until all the facts are on the table, and Council and the public can consider and debate them properly. I certainly don't think the current environment of hostility and divisive bickering is helping us reach a good decision that will be acceptable to the whole community, and I fear now that whatever is proposed will cause major upset for one part of the community or another.

My personal view on transport and the future is that we might very likely not need any new roads, depending on how soon we start to see the effects of peak oil production. I would like to see if we can't spent those many millions on options that might serve us better in the future, such as a better public transport system. However, I am aware that from a national perspective, we are expected as a region to secure and maintain our arterial traffic corridors, and there are a number of complicating factors in this such as the costs of maintenance, the rules around moving a state highway designation, and other community severance and accessibility, safety  and health issues.

Yes, if it survives the arterial Study. I am told this Government has no money for roads.

I think it will be a non issue for the coming years. I sat on the regional land transport strategy for the first 2 years, and I know very well that there is no money for a new southern arterial route.

Yes

The southern arterial route through Victory. NO.

I have update my profile on the Rock Road, Tahunanui Drive. 

The current process through the arterial study has yet to be completed.  So far, it appears to confirm, that the cost : benefit ratio does not stack up for any new road building.  This means, that even if Nelson wants a new road, NZTA are unlikely to pay for it.  Therefore, if Nelson still wants a new road, the people of Nelson will have to pay for it, plus maintain it.  Those costs would need to be fully disclosed to the Nelson ratepayers for them to make an informed decision.

Personally, I don\'t not support a southern arterial route.  I believe the cost of fossil fuel will increase through energy depletion.  As such we need, as a community to work together to develop solutions which mitigate this.  Option 5 provides a combined solution for our whole community.

Awaiting response

Hi Helen

My apologies for the delay in reply.  Thank you for your query.  I do not support any new road building anywhere and I do not support any 4 laning, if we can help it.  It is not really necessary until we have tested proper traffic management and improved public transport (without increasing number of buses but just extending bus routes) and change people\\\'s mindset on self convenience, i.e. driving their cars to the city when they have option to carpool or bike or bus.  Best wishes,

Marie Johnstone

This is not a simple Yes No question. There are compelling arguments being put forward by parties with vested interests to make this happen and I have some sympathy with some of those arguments but they are based on the assumption of economic expansion which in my view is presently unlikely. However these arguments are not accepted by Victory residents and option 5 supporters. If the funding hurdle is not met for the Southern Arterial Route then do we want the status quo i.e. Rocks Road? That would not be my choice. I see this as a complex question which I continue to explore and I have not yet reached any conclusion except that Rocks Road is not the answer. I am analytical and will continue to research this. I will attend the Mayors discussion tomorrow night in a continued effort to fully appreciate the issues.

Awaiting response

This issue is fair more complex than a yes or no answer.

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We are part way through the Arterial Study and I have committed as part of the current council to seeing this process through. The next council will have to address the results of the study and it is very important that we approach that task with an open mind. Obviously there are pros and cons in many of the changes that are under discussion. Funding any change will be a challenge. Information on this and other issues is still being gathered.

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I have talked about the values of Rocks Rd and our waterfront on my website along with comment on transport see www.rachelreese.co.nz under the section Our City.

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I have been very clear that I do not favour an increase in traffic on our waterfront link and I do not favour any change that would adversely impact on the values there that I see as heritage, landscape and recreational.

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I am not a single issue candidate. I have been asked by various lobby groups to endorse or promote proposals in return for voter support  including promising that there will be a southern arterial and promising that there won\\\\\\\'t be a southern arterial !!  I cannot give you any more than my commitment to follow due process and respond to this issue with fairness and good quality information so we can make decisions for the long-term well being both economic and social - of Nelson

Awaiting response\\\\r\\\\n

This issue is fair more complex than a yes or no answer.

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We are part way through the Arterial Study and I have committed as part of the current council to seeing this process through. The next council will have to address the results of the study and it is very important that we approach that task with an open mind. Obviously there are pros and cons in many of the changes that are under discussion. Funding any change will be a challenge. Information on this and other issues is still being gathered.

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I have talked about the values of Rocks Rd and our waterfront on my website along with comment on transport see www.rachelreese.co.nz under the section Our City.

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I have been very clear that I do not favour an increase in traffic on our waterfront link and I do not favour any change that would adversely impact on the values there that I see as heritage, landscape and recreational.

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I am not a single issue candidate. I have been asked by various lobby groups to endorse or promote proposals in return for voter support  including promising that there will be a southern arterial and promising that there won\\\\\\\'t be a southern arterial !!  I cannot give you any more than my commitment to follow due process and respond to this issue with fairness and good quality information so we can make decisions for the long-term well being both economic and social - of Nelson

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A mixture of a viable public transport system with bus lanes for vehicles carrying 4 or more passengers plus an identified heavy vehicle by-pass not using Rocks Road.

My position is No on this one. My preference is for part time clearways along Rocks Road and Waimea Road. This is a low spend option with flexibility to match employment and population projections that are currently predicting shorter commuter travelling distamces and more growth towards the south of Annesbrook.

I also want to have two road options for traffic as it spreads risk.  

I read the reports prepared by consultants for the Nelson City Council on the best options.  I steered away from  the Southern Arterial route because it was going to be a $20-$50 million spend. If the project blew out to $50 million the report indicated  it would mean a 8.3 % increase on rates for many decades. This rate increase is on the proviso that the project is shared 50/50 by the government  (National Land Transport Fund) and the NCC. Because it is less than $100 million there is a risk it will not get funding from the government.  Consequently, there is an element of risk that  if we were to proceed with this project it could well mean a 16% increase on rates. Our roading projects also have to be prioritised  on a national ranking basis.

Reports also indicated that because of the geographical terrain through the Victory Square area fumes were not going to be easily dispersed.

I am also not convinced we have a traffic congestion problem that warrants a major spend yet. The question is,  traffic congestion relative to what other city in New Zealand?

Leaders in the forestry industry have told me that their future cut will come more from the Rai Valley side, reducing a number of  logging  trucks going around the Port.

My ten point strategy for Nelson also includes more investment in science and technology.  If we can get the forestry marketing and technology right and manufacture more wood products locally that would reduce the numbers of logging trucks going  to Port Nelson.  

Regards Patrick     

Yes.  I believe that the Southern Arterial Link should go ahead but with conditions. These conditions being that the negative impact on communities in the locality is minimised, in fact the route should benefit the communities. The failure to do this previously with Tahunanui and Annesbrook should be a warning to us all

Yes with conditions to address the Victory Sq concerns