Thanks Patrick, youve heardb this from me already so now I'll share- Actually Im not anti train- I recognise trains' place, my hesitancy is twofold- 1) trains trains trains that’s all we hear- they have a place for sure, but I don’t like the fact that they are seen as a cure all. The roads will become less congested when we get the cars off them- this will happen when petrol heads to $3+ per litre and stays there, which is inevitable (which was well demonstrated a couple of years ago). I also like density, I think it makes for great cities, but Im not advocating Tokyo and I stated. The fact is Auckland’s density (lack) is real, using the same metrics LA is measured as one of the most dense cities in the world- can you believe it? Also remember they were referring to the old Auckland city, not the region now governed by Auckland Council.

I also believe, as I have hinted, that in the longer term rail will prevail- but I am also certain we’re not going to have a rail network like London’s any day soon, when you only have to walk 400m or so to a station. In just the same way as we’re not going to achieve a Barcelona/Paris level of density anytime soon (which I also hold up as decent urban models for lots of rational reasons- in their current form, both were created just pre car, seems we could slip back there pretty easily too?) It’ll take time to get there, beyond our time Im sure, but its important that we get the right moves in place along the journey. Patience people! guess you might call this the 'slow city movement'

No im not interested in designing roads (although I do think they could be integrated into the urban environment a lot better though) remember I’m a harbour tunnel man