Association hails road maintenance boost
The AA has welcomed the government’s multibillion-dollar land transport package and says extra funds to improve the nation’s roads will bring vital safety benefits to motorists.
Improving road maintenance has been the main action it has wanted to see from politicians in recent times because such work impacts a vehicle’s grip with the road, its risk of skidding and the driver losing control.
Mike Noon, AA’s general manager of motoring affairs, says: “Well maintained roads are safer roads – the extra investment will bring safety benefits now and in the future.”
The government has announced it will invest $24.3 billion as part of its National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) for the next three years, which includes $7.2b for road, walking and cycling network operations and maintenance, and $6.6b for road improvements.
Michael Wood, Minister of Transport, acknowledged in his funding announcement on September 7 the government was concerned about roads deteriorating.
AA members have ranked road surface quality, such as potholes, as their greatest transport concern in an annual survey for each of the past four years.
This issue has ranked ahead of other transport concerns such as congestion, speed, parking, and road policing.
Noon, pictured, says: “Roads need regular repairs and renewal to keep them at the standard they should be.
“There simply hasn’t been enough funding to do that for many years, and the public has noticed our state highways and local roads becoming more difficult and more dangerous to drive on.”
The AA believes the increase in transport funding will ease some of the pressure rising costs have put on Waka Kotahi and allow it to deliver more maintenance work.
Noon believes the extra investment may also provide a welcome economic boost as the country moves out of lockdown.
“Road maintenance projects deliver excellent value for money, they’re needed up and down the country and they can start without delay. Investment in road maintenance creates jobs, improves road safety, and delivers transport benefits that really matter to our communities.”
