Over 60 per cent of respondents throughout New Zealand feel that their community has not had enough input into the Government s plans. An overwhelming majority 91 per cent say that managers of the roading network should represent and be fully accountable to local communities, while 70 per cent believe local authorities to be the most appropriate managers of the roading network. The plan published last December clearly demonstrates that the Government favours the control and management of our streets by a few commercially driven, profit- motivated companies. Whether or not these companies are ultimately in public or private ownership, the commercial pressures governing them will have the same result for communities and motorists. Unlike the Telecom or electricity networks, city streets and rural roads are far more than simply utilities.
Roads define a city or region.
Activity on them has a huge impact on the physical quality, economic viability and social systems of communities. To hand such a complex and vital part of what makes us a nation to a commercial board of directors is a very large step, and one which should not be taken without widespread public debate. Under a system of commercial management, the most important factors when decisions are made about roads would be profit and revenue considerations, not necessarily the needs of the communities served by the roads. Profit measures would be paramount. Road users would pay more to cover profits and company tax.