But the Papakura-to-Drury upgrade was fast-tracked anyway, after the Government received contrary advice from the New Zealand Transport Agency, Environment Minister David Parker told Stuff. Monique Ford/Stuff Environment Minister David Parker says fast-tracking the SH1 upgrade won’t raise New Zealand’s emissions. “This is a significant roading project and has significant environmental risks,” the ministry said. Upgrading Mill Road “has potential to lock in greenhouse gas emissions that are contrary to New Zealand’s climate change objectives,” it said. At some point, the ministry appears to have been told that some kind of roading project was on the cards, and advised that, if the Government was going to include a roading project, it should choose either SH1 or Mill Rd.

Source: Stuff August 30, 2020 16:52 UTC