Police have arrested 11 people after protest action blocked the southbound lanes of Transmission Gully at Porirua this morning.
Police received multiple calls about 7.30, after two vans carrying protesters stopped in the southbound lanes, blocking traffic.
‘Acts like this are not lawful, and put the lives of the protesters and other motorists at risk,’ said Inspector Nick Thom.
‘While Police responded immediately and began clearing the road, some of protesters had unfortunately glued their hands to the road, further delaying traffic and taking up police time.’
Traffic began flowing about 9am. The 11 people arrested have been charged with tresspass and criminal nuisance and are due to appear in the Porirua District Court today.
As the case is before the courts, Police cannot comment further.
Wellington needs Transmission Gully. A single earthquake could isolate that city. Is the narrow drive alongside the shoreline safe? ( It always felt scary.) How about the alternative along the tops of the hills via Plimmerton to Paekakariki or the tortuous route through Upper Hutt to Otaki?
It’s an inconvenience to be stuck in the traffic jam caused by these people however that is nothing like the inconvenience experienced earlier this year in Pakistan when they had huge floods which put one third of their country underwater!
That is a much bigger inconvenience!!
Nelson had a one in one hundred year rain event two months ago and then the very next day they had another once in one hundred year rain event!
The following 36 hours they experienced a third, once in one hundred year storm!!
This is the Climate Emergency happening in front of our eyes.
It is happening right now and as a consequence they will be closing the main road to Nelson for seven weeks to allow them to repair it.
Seven weeks!
That is a much bigger inconvenience.