It’s been one of Tauranga’s most controversial roads and now Winston Peters is calling for the tolls on Route K to be axed.

The New Zealand First leader wants a complete overhaul of the Tauranga transport network as well as an investigation into the feasibility of a light rail public transport network for the city.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peter has called for the tolls on Route K to be axed. Photo: NZTA.

“We were instrumental in removing the $63 million debt and getting it designated as a state highway,” says Winston.

“Before the 2014 election New Zealand First made the promise to remove the debt and within days National caved in.”

Winston says axing the toll is the “common sense next step” to getting all heavy traffic off Cameron and Cambridge roads as it would allow trucks to travel directly to and from New Zealand’s largest port, and to and from the national highway network.

He says New Zealand First would also investigate a light rail public transport network in Tauranga – “the country’s fastest growing city”.

“We don’t want to see Tauranga, in a few years’ time, having to deal with the hopeless problems resulting from a lack of planning that Auckland is facing today,” says Winston.

Do you agree that the Route K toll should be axed? Would you like to see a light rail public transport network in Tauranga? Post your thoughts in the comments section below.