No way

I cannot believe that this is actually on the table - but the City Council is actually proposing to build a flyover at the Basin Reserve - ala the Victoria Park fly over in Auckland. The fact that it will still be bookended by the two old single lane tunnels make it hopeless from the outset - but how on earth could Kerry and the gang seriously propose building such a hideous monument at one of the worlds best cricket grounds.

Eye of the Fish have a good run down on how hopeless and costly the Victoria Park and Newmarket fly overs have been in Auckland here and you can read the full Ngauranga - Airport corridor report here. What really annoyed me though was how they tucked details of the fly over into the part about creating a 'grand pedestrian entrance' to the Basin with a new public transport hub - it was like oh and we could incorporate a motorway fly over.... you know, as you do. This is a stupid 1950s response to the congestion in this area and creates the real risk that we are going to have a shocking blot on the Wellington landscape.

The other shocking part for me is that the Council seems to have dismissed the idea of light rail in the short to medium term and also the idea of extending rail into the city. This whole plan is a shocker and its good to see Green Councillor, Iona Pannett holding public meeting this Tuesday on it. I'd love to see our new MP take a lead on this.

Below is a map of the plan that the Greens came up with for Wellington during the recent election campaign (click on it for a bigger version) - and I have to say - how cool would that be??

The plan Replaces the Johnsonville line with light rail, which then connects through to Courtenay Place, the Airport and the Hospital. Also they are suggesting a light rail line out to Queensgate from Wellington - just like a ahhh.... city! Longer term I'd love to see fast electrified rail of some description right through to Palmerston North, connecting the other centres along the way which would create a situation where people could live up the coast and commute to the City in good time.