The news that there will not be an underpass to alleviate traffic congestion on SH1 at Elizabeth Street in Waikanae is a lost opportunity. Even today it is nearly impossible to cross the railway line at peak times, including school time. When double tracking and more frequent trains start it will be near impossible to manage traffic across the lines. We as a community have about a year to get the underpass built otherwise chaos will occur.

While the work on the rail is happening and the work on the new motorway not about to start for may years we must try and make the rail and roading authorities see sense so the new opportunities for improved rail travel does not make life worse for everyone else.