An artist's impression of the Golden Mile project, which would remove cars between Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place in Wellington. Photo: Let's Get Wellington Moving
A group opposed to Let's Get Wellington Moving's plan to remove cars from the Golden Mile is taking legal action.
The Guardians of the Golden Mile will seek a judicial review of the council's decision to fund the work, which would remove cars from the inner city stretch of road between Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place.
Yesterday, the group sent a letter to Wellington City Council through Morrison Kent partner Michael Wolff .
It asks the council to desist work on the project until a clearer direction is provided. Group spokesperson Barry Wilson said they had "had enough" of not being listened to.
Wellington City Councillor Diane Calvert said the council and Waka Kotahi should look at the move as providing a way forward.
"Both have said that, look, we can't back out of this because either party might sue us for backing out. So this is actually a way out for them for having made the decision when they did," Calvert said.
Councillor Iona Pannett said she stood by the Golden Mile project and believed it would be transformational for Wellington, but the guardians group had a right to rally against that decision.
"I'll always stand by the right for the community to take a judicial review as an accountability tool," said Pannett.
The National Party has said if elected, it would scrap Let's Get Wellington Moving altogether, so it did not want to see a contract for the work signed during the election period.
National transport spokesperson Simeon Brown said improvements were still needed along Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place.
