Angie Warren-Clark Labour MP

Last Wednesday I headed along to the regular Omokoroa Future Focus community meeting to hear people's concerns and to speak about State Highway 2.

After listening to people's concerns both during and after the meeting, it became very clear that there are a number of misunderstandings about SH2 and the government's position on it.

It's important to point out that National MPs are merely scaremongering to suggest the government has made changes to the Omokora to Te Puna 7km upgrade announced by the Transport Agency in December.

The Transport Agency informs me that work is scheduled to begin on the first five of 26 intersections along the road later this year.

Our government is currently developing a new Government Policy Statement (GPS) on land transport and, until that is finalised, we can't pre-empt the Transport Agency's decisions or give further details about specific transport projects until the GPS 2018 is released.

I saw media comment this week from MP Todd Muller.

Talking about SH2 he said: 'We deserve better than putting our lives at risk on this road.”

On this point we agree, which is why I'm proud that our government is switching its priorities from building roads with weak business cases – like when we cancelled National's obscenely expensive $327 million per-kilometre Auckland East-West Link – to safety upgrades on our regional roads.

Yes, SH2 will be upgraded, but in the meantime I'm proud to be a part of Jacinda Ardern's team which prioritises safety.