๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ – ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ฐ๐ข๐ซ๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐จ๐ง ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฌ
Below is a letter Council received today from Kiwirail:
As you know, KiwiRail recently put forward a proposal to improve all 30 level crossings on the Wairarapa Line. We mentioned that some crossings would need to be closed both to improve safety on the line and to enable the running of more trains. Greater Wellington Regional Councilโs new hybrid trains will mean more peak and inter-peak commuter services across the Wairarapa and to Wellington.
Following feedback from the community and further consultation with Waka Kotahi, weโll be commissioning an additional study that looks at all 30 level crossings together rather than individually and considers the Wairarapa Line as a whole. This will include a more detailed assessment of the traffic impacts of any level crossing closures.
The study, which is expected to take a couple of months, may confirm our initial assessment, or it may present a different perspective on any level crossing closures along the line. It may be that we need to close fewer crossings, or more. Waka Kotahi in its capacity as the rail regulator will also be engaged in the study, so there is appropriate clarity and certainty around their safety case assessment criteria.
We appreciate this is a new development. Our intention is to openly demonstrate that weโve listened and carried out a full assessment of the impact of any proposed closures.
As such the study will take into account the feedback weโve received from residents, commuters and organisations such as Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Free Ambulance services as a result of our consultation.
Any decision we come to will be based on the studyโs recommendations. We will continue to keep Councils and communities informed of the outcome and next steps.
For updates on this project, visit http://www.kiwirail.co.nz/…/wellington/wairarapa-line/