Embedded Files
( transcribed from the original .pdf )
Minister of Transport , Stephen Joyce's response to Alan Preston's letter.
25 Aug 2011
Mr Alan Preston
thewayforward2011@gmail.com
Dear Alan
Thank you for your email of 6 July 2011 about peak oil and rail transport
I too expect that oil prices will continue to rise over time.
However the government considers that road users will not sacrifice personal mobility , even in light of higher oil prices. New fuels and technologies will enable people to retain personal mobility.
Examples of recent innovations to support this view include direct injection engines, hybrid drive systems and bioethanol made from by-products of New Zealand's milk
processing industry .
Future technologies include mas-produced electric vehicles, and biofuels made from dedicated crops grown on maginal land.
I also appreciate your concerns with the new Puhoi to Wellsford Road.
The government's focus for this new road, and the six other Roads of National Significance, has been to identify the routes that are necessary to improve regional and national economic growth and productivity.
The Puhoi to Wellsford Road will cater for both passengers and freight, which is particularly important given that freight volumes between Auckland and Northland are forecast to double in the next 10 years.
A new purpose-built four-land highway will improve gradients, safety and congestion along the route.
In terms of the quality of roads along the eastern coastal strip , you may wish to speak to the Auckland Council as it has formal responsibility to the upkeep of roading infrastructure in that area.
With regard to rail transport, Kiwirail faces a significant number of challenges and has a large number of investments scheduled over the next 10 years.
It is working hard to become economically and commercially sustainable through its $4.6 billion Turnaround Plan.
I acknowledge your suggestions regarding rail services in Northland. You may wish to contact KiwiRail directly in this regard as it owns and operates the rail network.
Yours sincerely
Stephen Joyce
Minister of Transport
To read Barry Palmer's analysis of the Minister of Transport's letter , click here
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse