Mayor’s stand ‘electioneeing’

Press, 2 April 1980, Page 10

Mayor’s stand ‘electioneeing’

Some politicians were getting on the anti-motor-way bandwaggon a little late, said the Labour Party candidate for the Christchurch mayoralty (Cr Mollie Clark). She was referring to a . stand taken by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr H. G. Hay) against Latimer Square and Cranmer. Square planning proposals. “His opposition to reading plans that damage the environment is belated and selective,” Cr Clark said. “It is a classic case of electioneering, and the public won’t be hoodwinked by it. “I am pleased to see he now agrees with me and the Labour Party policy.” Cr Clark said Mr Hay’s “startling change of face” oh the Latimer Square and Cranmer Square proposals was "even more surprising .. given • his lack of concern > about the. related .issues of/:. < the northern motorway ■ : and/-the AyonsideAVpodham expressway.” ’ ;r ’ ' - S^e : hid; always opposed ': reading plans that' .would :

destroy residential areas or intrude oh reserves. Her party had also been consistent in its fight against unnecessary motorways, Cr Clark said. “The scaling-down of urban motorway plans is the result of the pressure we . have' exerted, and the compelling arguments of static population and traffic flows that are no longer rising.” ’ A Labour-dominated City Council would remove designations for un- : wanted motorways, she said. . • “It is no longer reasonable to retain designations on land that may never be needed for roading.. Encroachments on reserves are certainly not justified. What is more, the .costs are becoming prohibitive-” Labour councillors Abe-: lieved it was “more prudent to improve the road- ■ : ing,.. cycle, and pedestrian ways we’ have rather’ '.than' waste' public money. On ex-; pensive, --new multi-lane routes, be they. called m.p tor w, ay s or, Jex-, ; pressways.”. Cr Clarksaid.