The Northland Regional Transport Committee (RTC) urges Northlanders to have their say on the review of the Draft Regional Land Transport Plan 2021/2027 - Three Year Review (RLTP).

The RLTP, which is the region’s application for funding assistance from central government for its transport infrastructure and services, is compiled every six years and reviewed at the three-year point to ensure it aligns with current transport priorities.

Regional council member and Chair of the Regional Transport Committee, Joe Carr, says the review of the RLTP is to update the transport funding requirements for achieving a regional land transport system that is based around priorities including:

Being resilient. Being secure. Being fit for purpose that leads to reduced deaths and serious injuries. Improving freight and passenger connections. Lowering emissions. Increasing transport choice. Improving integration of land use and transport planning.

Top priority projects include: Road maintenance and renewals. Te Hana to Brynderwyn upgrades - greater network resilience and a stronger Northland / Auckland connection

Far North State Highway resilience. Brynderwyn detour route upgrades. Kaipara resilience programme. Local road improvements and resilience. Upgrading SH1 between Whangarei and mid-North.

It also proposes priorities for major works projects and spending and - Councillor Carr says - has a big emphasis on ‘back to basics’ road maintenance, including basic culvert maintenance.