Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott launches campaign to have Beaches Link Tunnel fast tracked
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has launched a campaign to have a northern beaches tunnel fast-tracked in a bid to reduce traffic congestion.
Manly
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WARRINGAH MP Tony Abbott has launched a campaign to have the Beaches Link Tunnel fast tracked, saying the peninsula is still “choking on its own traffic”.
Mr Abbott told the Manly Daily he had believed the State Government was behind schedule on its plans, and needed to catch up.
“My understanding was that the timetable was full funding commitment in February this year, environmental approvals in the course of this year and contracts let by the end of the year,” he said. “That timetable appears to have slipped that is why it is imperative to proceed with all possible urgency.
The former Prime Minister sent a letter out to his constituents urging them to take part in his online campaign.
“Thank God the State Government is committed to it, but we just need them to get cracking,” Mr Abbott said.
“I can be a little more upfront and out there on this, not being part of the State Government than my distinguish State Government counterparts can be.”
When asked if he had been lobbying Premier Gladys Berejiklian, he said “all the time”.
In this year’s Budget the State Government has pledged more than $500 million towards the Western Harbour Tunnel, Beaches Link.
The detailed design on the tunnel was promised by mid-year, but has not yet been released.
“The people of the peninsula are desperate for this to happen,” Mr Abbott said.
‘They’re just terrified that there could be some flip between now and the letting of contracts.
“The biggest flip of all would be the election of a Labor government.”
Mr Abbott put the pressure firmly on Ms Berejiklian to make a start on the tunnel.
“We are desperate not to be disappointed again,” he said.
“We are relying on Gladys and her team to get this done, because, as I have said time and time again our area is choking on its own traffic.
“The only way to fix it is with this major piece of infrastructure, that is why every opportunity I get I am just hammering this theme, we need it, we needed it 10 years ago but we sure need it now and it just cannot be denied any longer.”
