Taranaki politicians have accused Waka Kotahi of slashing the SH3 roading budget to $29m. The country’s transport funding agency has moved to dispel criticism over delays and alleged cost-cutting to upgrade a dangerous stretch of State Highway 3 between New Plymouth and Waitara. New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom and Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger have accused Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency of cutting funding for the upgrades from $43m to $29m. Kuriger said Waka Kotahi had done “a U-turn” on funding, and wanted the agency to explain continuing delays to improving safety. TRC regional transport committee chair Matthew McDonald said every opportunity has been taken to encourage NZTA to complete the safety upgrades as soon as possible.

Source: Stuff April 21, 2021 17:26 UTC