Chapter 19 - Land Transport 19.0 Land Transport 19.1 Introduction The land transport infrastructure of Marlborough forms a significant component of the physical resources of the District. The network of roads, rail, cycleways, and pedestrian pathways; and the movement of vehicles, goods, and people through that network; are essential to the District’s economic activity, and to the convenience and wellbeing of the people of Marlborough. The resource management issues associated with land transport focuses on the sustainable management of the physical infrastructure of transport network, as a resource, and on the services that use them, and the adverse environmental effects that arise from the network. Rail has a significant role in freight and passenger movement through the District. The main trunk railway passes through the Plan area. There is a proposal to relocate some inter-island ferry operations to Clifford Bay, which would affect patterns of rail and road traffic, both within the region and nationally. Such a terminal would be of considerable importance to the transportation of people and freight, by road and rail. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of the land transport infrastructure is shared between a number of organisations including: • Marlborough District Council (for local roads, pedestrian paths and facilities, cycleways and facilities); • Transit New Zealand (for the State Highways); • Tranz Rail (for the main trunk railway and rail yards); and • Individual land developers (in creating new public and private roads and transport facilities). Achieving an appropriate mix of land transport infrastructure requires the combined efforts of all agencies. The safe and efficient transport of people and produce relies on appropriate interaction between land and water modes of transport. 19.2 Issue The adverse effects from the development, maintenance and use of the transport infrastructure on the resources and wellbeing of the community of the Wairau/Awatere. The construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure can cause adverse effects on the environment. The location of new road alignment is often limited by engineering factors but can scar the landscape or cause siltation of waterways. Adverse effects of transport infrastructure need to be considered in relation to community health, safety and wellbeing. The use of transport infrastructure and transportation activities can give rise to localized adverse effects including: reduced safety; loss of amenity due to noise, dust, and vehicle exhaust emissions; and contamination of resources from surface water run-off from roads, and discharges and spills from vehicles. Effects on the 19 - 1