Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey says the line-up of speakers for Sunday’s Rally for Woodend represents a community standing together for the Woodend Bypass.

“Local celebrant Jane Godrey is master of ceremonies and she will introduce many well-known faces who will stand united on stage to speak one message loud and clear: this community wants the Woodend Bypass to be included in the government’s Budget in May.

“We’ve been told there is around $4 billion still to be allocated to infrastructure projects and we need to make sure our voices are heard. We’re calling on the government to commit to building the Belfast to Pegasus motorway, including the Woodend Bypass, in Budget 2020.

“Waimakariri District Mayor Dan Gordon; Woodend School Principal Adrienne Simpson; Mark Paterson, president of the Woodend Community Association; and Shona Powell of the Make SH1 Safer Committee will be joining me to speak on how much our community needs this vital roading project to be given the green light, with daily traffic counts this year expected to reach 20,000 through Woodend.

“Our speakers represent a range of stakeholder groups all on the same stage. That speaks of how our community is standing together on this issue,” Doocey said.

The Rally for Woodend is on Sunday 9 February at 12.30pm at Owen Stalker Park in Woodend.