Once again the four-lane Ōtaki to North of Levin (Ō2NL) expressway will be back on the chopping block after the election if Labour is in coalition negotiations with the Greens.

National Party candidate for Ōtaki Tim Costley says, “Labour cancelled the Ō2NL after the 2017 election, and only brought back a reduced version after intense pressure from National and the community. “The writing is on the wall that they will cancel this project again.”

“Labour doesn’t believe in projects like Ō2NL, they rallied against many of them while in Opposition. Their promises run hollow when we look back at their record:

• 16,000 KiwiBuild homes built in the first three years, failed.

• Light Rail in Auckland, failed.

• Lifting 100,000 children out of poverty, failed. 

“Labour’s three years in Government have been littered with broken promises. “National on the other hand can be counted on to deliver. “National is committed to building Ō2NL as soon as possible. We would speed up the process and begin work once the Peka Peka to Ōtaki expressway is finished. 

“The Ō2NL is a critical road that needs to be built as quickly as possible. The current stretch of SH1 from Ōtaki to Levin is one of the most dangerous in the country. NZTA predicts the road will save 135 deaths and serious injuries over the next 10 years. 

“National will build the infrastructure New Zealand needs, we have an ambitious transport plan that includes the much needed Ō2NL. We will deliver for Ōtaki.”