Umbrella plan for urban transport

Press, 19 November 1977, Page 6

Umbrella plan for urban transport

I he Christchurch Transport Board yesterday agreed Unanimously to a proposed urban transport authority—with full responsibility for the Christchurch transport system.

The U.T.A. would be a completely new. autonomous and elected body. It would Supersede the board, and take! over the transport planning; functions of rhe Regional Planning Authority. Three delegates of the board will meet the Government officials’ investigating committee on November 30 to put forward submissions that arose from the board’s; discussion of rhe Government White Paper on urban transport. Board members were in full agreement that the time was ripe to implement the, broad principles of the report But they also expressed dissatisfaction that the report was frequently vague,; or contradictory, about howto effect these changes. The White Paper was notable for what it “did not. say” about urban transport, ssid the general manager (Mr! M G. Taylor). “We can endorse its fine principles until we are blue in the face, but it won’t mean' * damn thing unless the right! sort of organisation puts it all together." The White Paper has suggested a full overhaul of the organisation of local urban' transport authorities, and the. board has approved unani-'

mously the basic premise that ail features should be considered "in order to achieve efficiency in planning. investment, and operations.” To that end, the board also agreed that urban transport authorities should be responsible for preparing overall plans for their areas. Each would be financed through its rating and borrowing powers, revenue from transport—and Government assistance “as and when needed." The proposed Christchurch Urban Transport Authority would need obsolute power to succeed, said the Transport Board chairman (Mr M. O Holdsworth). "In any amalgamation between the Transport Board and the Regional Planning Authority, somebody must make the decisions. We don’t want to end up with the same situation that exists now—where there is just compromise and conflict between the various local bodies and authorities. "In my view the U.T.A. must have full autonomy, or else we are not making real progress at all.” If elected in the same way as the Auckland Regional Authority, the U.T.A. would.

represent the whole of Christchurch. and would allow comprehensive planning. / “In my view an elected body formed from a merger I between the Regional Planning Authority and the Transport Board would be in I the best interests of the city.” Mrs H. L. Garrett praised ithe proposal as an “original !and admirable idea.” Although amalgamation on a regional scale was probably i most desirable the board had ito face the facts, she said. Regional government was some time off. * . “This kind of limited ! U.T.A. is an excellent thing : which could be pushed along jin the meantime.” Mr Neil Anderson said ; that more talk about amalga'mation between local bodies would only confuse the J public. The plan was inadequate, he said. “It is presented only on an urban basis, but planning on a regional basis would be more rational and effective. We should be thinking of extending our authority into other areas. Rational planning should be done, and it should cover all aspects of community life.”