Sat, 17 Oct 2009 1:20p.m.
Mr Laws said the Govt had significantly cut subsidies for local roading works in the regions to fund projects in the cities
Wanganui mayor Michael Laws says the Government is plundering the provinces to pay for new roads in Auckland.
In August, Transport Minister Steven Joyce said total land transport programme spending would rise by 17 percent over the next three years.
But Mr Laws said today the Government had significantly cut subsidies for local roading works in the regions to fund projects in the cities. Wanganui would have to cut about $6.5 million from its roading budget over the next three years.
Wanganui might have to abandon rural road maintenance, cycleway development and cut back on road safety improvements, he said.
Other provinces had also been hit.
"In the Hawke's Bay, I understand that something like $17 million worth of budgeted works will now not happen," Mr Laws said.
NZPA