The announcement that the Waka Kotahi NZTA Board has endorsed the business case for the Cambridge to Piarere Waikato Expressway extension is progress, but it is disappointing that there’s no funding to start it before 2027 when under a National Government it would already be well underway, National’s MP for Taupō Louise Upston and MP for Waikato Tim van de Molen say.

“We committed to building that road in 2017,” Ms Upston says.

“While the Board’s endorsement yesterday is a positive step, with no funding allocated for nearly a decade, there is still a long way to go before any sign of construction starts.”

Mr van de Molen says, “it is encouraging to see Waka Kotahi NZTA’s acknowledgement of the importance of this project, but we now need to get the Government to understand this is not something that can wait a decade.

“We know the road is critical; the local community knows it and local businesses know it.

“The Government are seemingly the only ones who don’t recognise the safety, social and economic benefits of this road for one of the key regions in New Zealand.”

Ms Upston says this progress is thanks to the hard work of National MPs, including Transport spokesperson Michael Woodhouse, who visited twice this term. National will continue to push with the community’s support to get the road built.

Ms Upston says she wants to “thank everyone who has signed petitions, attended public meetings, and made their voices heard by writing to ministers.

“You can all be proud of your efforts so far and we appreciate your continued support to ensure the Government builds this road.”

Mr Van de Molen agreed saying, “while this is welcome news, National will continue to advocate for earlier funding of this important project to get it built and save lives.”

Media contact: Ani O’Brien 021 848 812