I'm writing with bad news sorry - the new Melling Interchange is at risk. Again.

Bad news on Melling!
Dear John,

I'm writing with bad news I'm afraid.

Our New Melling Interchange at risk once again!

As you know, the government bowed to pressure in January last year and fully-funded the new interchange as part of the NZ Upgrade Programme.

Unfortunately it has been reported in the news today by Stuff ([link removed]) that this project and many others around the country could be at risk. Despite the Government announcing it in January 2020 and Labour MPs saying all through last year it was going to happen, there are now reports that the new Transport Minister Michael Wood will not commit to all of the projects originally announced in this package.

To say I am furious would be an understatement. This is the Hutt's top transport priority, as my recent summer survey showed. It is critical for the future of the Hutt and it puts the entire Riverlink project at risk.

As you will recall, the previous National government committed in 2017 to building a new Melling Interchange only for the new Labour government to come in and ‘re-evaluate’ this vital Hutt project. This saw Melling deprioritised and pushed out to at least 2028 despite then Transport Minister Phil Twyford saying that it “ticked all the boxes.”

However, you and the Hutt community fought back signing my petition, coming along to public meetings and attending the “Rally for Melling.”

This pressured the Government into bringing Melling forward and announcing that construction was due to start in 2022 but, as we have learned today, this is once again all at risk.

As a List MP based in Hutt South, I want you to know that I will continue to lead the charge on getting the government to immediately recommit to funding this vital project. It is my top priority.

Yet again, we may have a fight on our hands! If you want, you can send an email directly (mailto:[email protected]; [email protected]?subject=You%20must%20fund%20Melling!) to the Transport Minister, urging him to recommit to the new Melling Interchange.

Watch this space for further action from me. If you're keen to help, let me know!

Chris

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