Environment Waikato is to lobby Transit to move more quickly on some of the Region’s roading projects which are ready to go.

Chairman Neil Clarke told this week’s Regional Council meeting that some projects could be reconsidered after objections from the Regional Affairs Committee to the amount of roading money going to Auckland. He advised the Regional Land Transport Committee to work closely with Transit to get waiting projects moved up.

“Keeping the pressure on to progress projects makes it possible for Transit to reach into the bottom drawer and pull out those projects that are ready to move when funding becomes available. There is an opportunity here.”

Committee chairman David Peart said there was around $150 million still “untagged in the bucket” which was likely to increase. The State Highway Task Group will meet on October 6 to push some of the waiting projects and decide next steps.

“We’re very keen that design, designation, land purchase and consent processes go ahead so projects are ready to go.”

The largest was the Kopu Bridge project for which consents had been granted. The Raglan deviation and Cambridge bypass were also ready, and the Ngaruawahia bypass almost ready. A couple of Hamilton projects were pushing ahead, including the Rotokauri to Norton Road bypass and the Te Rapa bypass.