Poll shows Western Link has highest approval
Kapiti residents have given the Western Link expressway option their highest level of approval, Otaki MP Nathan Guy said today.
The result follows a randomly-selected telephone survey of 1000 Paraparaumu and Waikanae residents, who were presented with four transport options to gauge approval of. The survey was conducted by professional market research company Curia on 21 and 22 October.
Mr Guy says the expressway issue has galvanised debate in his electorate.
“This is a hot topic of conversation and it’s important I get as much feedback from my constituents as possible. Whichever option the New Zealand Transport Agency eventually chooses will have some impact on residents – their views need to be heard.”
Of the survey respondents, 500 lived in Waikanae and 500 in Paraparaumu. They were asked to rank the four transport options on a scale, ranging from ‘strongly disapprove’ to ‘strongly approve.
The four options were rated as follows:
- Eastern Option – 33 per cent approval and 56 per cent disapproval;
- Western Option – 16 per cent approval and 71 per cent disapproval;
- Western Link – 52 per cent approval and 38 per cent disapproval;
- and Rail-only – 21 per cent approval and 63 per cent disapproval.
Mr Guy says while the survey is not exhaustive, it gives a clear snapshot of the views of respondents. “I don’t have a preferred option.”