John MacDonald: You might not love it - but it's the only option

Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald

I don’t love the idea, but I’m willing to accept it.

That’s how I’d describe my stance on paying a toll charge to use a piece of road.

Just like when pay TV became a thing in New Zealand. I didn’t like it, but I accepted it.

So what’s happened, is that NZTA and the Government have announced that they expect work on the new Belfast to Pegasus motorway - which includes the new Woodend Bypass road - to begin within three years.

Which is music to the ears of people who drive in tha area on a regular basis. For me, I would say that I only go through Woodend when I’m heading away on holidays and coming back again.

So, while I get the argument about how congested things are there, I’m generally in holiday mode when I travel through there. But, if you live in Woodend or use any bit of that road there day-in/day-out, I can see why you might be at your wits end.

Not to mention the safety issues in that whole area.

So, while it’s not quite a new highway to Ashburton, the news that the Belfast to Pegasus motorway is happening is very positive.

Not surprisingly, the Government is talking about using road tolls to help pay for this project and its other roads of significance.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown says all options are on the table, including public/private partnerships.

As for road tolls, he’s got no idea at this stage how much we might be pinged for using these new roads. That will be influenced by what it ends up costing to build these roads.

So mark the date - Monday the 8th of July - which will go down in history as the day the Government started its sell-job on more user-pays roading.

But it doesn’t need to worry about me. I’m already sold on the idea. Because we are dreaming if we think there is any other way of paying for new, decent roads in this country.

As you the Government says, tolls will be charged on roads where there is a non-tolled alternative. So you won't be forced to pay. It will be your choice.

If I’m honest, chances are I’ll end up paying the road tolls not because I make some sort of proactive choice to. I’ll probably use the new Belfast to Pegasus motorway and only remember the toll once I’m on it.

But, even then, I won’t get annoyed. Because I know that road tolls are the only way to go.

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