T2 how long before changes implemented?
By Chrys Ayley
NZTA regional director for Wellington, Marlborough and Tasman regions Deborah Hume said the NZTA is preparing its application to Porirua City Council to make changes to the T2 lanes. ?NZTA staff are currently working on this application to make the necessary designation alterations required to change the T2 lanes to clearways and modify the operating hours of the lanes to suit differing traffic flows since they were established in 2005.? The designation alteration is seeking to accommodate other changes agreed by PCC and NZTA as a result of the review process, she said. Until NZTA has applied to make the legal alteration it is required by Porirua City Council?s District Plan to continue monitoring T2 lane compliance. It is anticipated that the application be lodged with PCC in July, Ms Hulme said. In the meantime the amount of monitoring has been scaled back in recognition of the proposed change. Porirua City Council Environment & Regulatory Services general manager David Rolfe said once PCC receives the application from NZTA to alter the existing designation (T2 Lanes) then the statutory process outlined in the RMA is triggered. The application to alter the designation will be publicly notified, public submissions invited followed by a hearing where submitters can present their views. After the hearing a decision on the application will be made that NZTA can accept or decline and if NZTA choose to accept the decision the new designation can take effect. If NZTA decide not to accept the decision of the Hearing, then PCC can decide whether or not to appeal this decision to the Environment Court.? This process can take several months depending on the number of submissions received and whether the decision is accepted.? The present T2 Lanes are the outcome of an Environment Court decision that imposed conditions about the operation of this part of the State Highway, Mr Rolfe said.
