The utter tragedy the people of Christchurch waken to every morning is heartbreaking. We, on the outskirts of Wellington, can only breathe a sigh of relief that it wasn't us this time. It is pleasing to note that both KCDC and MidCentral Health are sending their experts down to assist.

However I can only ponder, when the government announces the billions of dollars needed right now and justifiably so, to restore Christchurch's infrastructure, whether there will be anything available to build our own disputed motorway.

The priority for repairing motorways and roads is in the south and not on an unwanted and unnecessary motorway through Kapiti.

We need to get back to the Western Link, an affordable, fit for purpose local road which will relieve congestion on the state highway well into the next 30 years.