Simon Bridges National Party MP simonbridges.co.nz

Today I want to address another key concern many of you raised with me in my electorate survey, which was transport.

In response to the question: ‘What is the most important local Tauranga issue for you?' about 40 per cent of you gave me responses centred on transport. Your primary concerns were growing traffic congestion in Tauranga and insufficient roading infrastructure, while other themes included ineffective public transport and unsafe roads.

Meanwhile, when asked to rank key Tauranga transport projects in order of importance, you told me the Tauranga Northern Link (or the TNL), Tauriko interchange solution, and the Hewletts Rd/Totara St upgrade were the most important.

Your feedback matches what we know to be true here in Tauranga. As a great place to live, work, and raise a family, it's no surprise that we're New Zealand's fastest growing city. This does mean, though, it's getting harder to get around, as our roading infrastructure isn't keeping pace with our growing population.

As I've said here before, what's required is significant, urgent investment in our incomplete roading network. Good roads will, in turn, enable better and more affordable public transport, which is a big part of the solution to traffic congestion. Of course, transport is inextricably linked to housing and the economy, so the faster this is done, the faster we can build more houses and strengthen our local economy.

Unfortunately, however, the Labour Government, now well into their second term, has very little, if anything, to show for their transport investment in our region over this time.

While I acknowledge there's lots of work besides this, I remain committed to three big ticket projects which will go a long way to solving our transport deficits and National wants to be in government to make them happen.

First, and most obvious, is the TNL. When I was Transport Minister in 2016, the National Government and the NZTA fully approved and funded it from Tauranga to Omokoroa, with construction due to start in October 2018. Sadly, we've seen Labour cancel more than half of this project to fund vanity projects such as the Auckland Harbour cycle bridge not once, but twice. They're now only committed to the 6.8km to Te Puna. I would get on with actually completing this.

Secondly, I would get on with fixing the broken Tauranga South/Tauriko passage covering Barkes Corner through Cambridge Rd and the Lakes.

Finally, I would get on with building capacity at Totara St/Hewletts Rd to futureproof this important passage, which connects Tauranga and the Mount and carries a lot of our freight to and from the port.