KiwiRail recently hosted two meetings at the Carterton Events Centre to share updates and collect feedback on its proposals to close four level crossings in Carterton: Rhodes Street, Pembroke Street, Victoria Street , and Brooklyn Road.
KiwiRail said it has jurisdiction to close all of the above except for Brooklyn Road. It is proposing that for Council to keep Brooklyn Road open, ratepayers will need to foot the bill for the safety improvements due to their being no footpath, and the potential of a bike trail. However, Council has put forward the question to KiwiRail as to whether they will pay for this crossing upgrade and keep the road open if Council puts in a footpath and doesn’t proceed with a bike trail. Any decisions made by Council on Brooklyn Road will be done so at a public Council meeting.
KiwiRail also informed Council that its consultation period will run until the end of October. They will be making an informed decision by end November. Before then, KiwiRail has said it will continue to consult with relevant parties including working groups set up for the specific purpose of engaging on the proposed level crossing closures. We will share dates of any events they are proposing to hold as soon as we are aware of them.
You can find further information on the upgrade project at KiwiRail’s website [https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/our-network/our-regions/wellington/wairarapa-line].
You can contact KiwiRail at contactus@kiwirail.co.nz. If you would like to talk to someone about the proposed closures, please include that in the email.
Request for working group for proposed crossing closures
Carterton District Council is in the process of putting together a working group to work with Council and KiwiRail on the Wairarapa Line upgrade programme.
To register your interest, please contact CDC at comms@cdc.govt.nz.
KiwiRail Q&A on the Wairarapa Line upgrade programme
- What is the Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme?
- What is happening on the Wairarapa Line?
- What are the capacity upgrades on the Wairarapa Line?
- Why do the level crossings need improvements?
- What is KiwiRail doing at these crossings?
- Will any crossings be closed? And why?
- How did KiwiRail decide which crossings to close?
- Why can’t you just put bridges over the tracks and keep the road open?
- Why are the level crossings considered to be high risk when there has never been any accidents?
- What about the increased journey times that the road closures will create?
- If you are leaving the crossing open for pedestrians, how does this make them safer?
- Are the proposed level crossing closures just cost-cutting measures?
- There’s been no accidents on Judds Road level crossing, how can you say it is high risk?
- Why don’t you put something like traffic signals in at Judds Road?
- KiwiRail made it clear in the public meetings that they do not have jurisdiction on Brooklyn Road. If it is to stay open, will KiwiRail pay for the safety improvements, as with the other roads?
- How many times has KiwiRail met with Carterton District Council and Masterton District Council to discuss the level crossing proposals? On what date did those meetings take place?
- A group of Carterton representatives was mentioned at the meeting. Has this been formed?
- What are the next steps?
Q: What is the Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme?
A: This is a $700 million programme of works across the Wellington Region designed to build a more reliable, modern, and resilient railway. This is a mix of renewal and capacity building work designed to support the introduction of new trains. The extensive works we’re carrying out across the Wellington Region will bring extensive benefits to commuters. KiwiRail is investing in a modern and efficient railway, supporting better commuter experience.
Q: What is happening on the Wairarapa Line?
A: KiwiRail, in partnership with Greater Wellington Regional Council, are undertaking a major programme of overdue and necessary works on the Wairarapa Line – a significant upgrade not seen in a generation. The upgrades on the Wairarapa Line are timely with the government’s recent announcement about funding for new trains, enabling the delivery of low-emission passenger trains and infrastructure improvements. Metlink are proposing that by the end of the decade, the Wairarapa Line will change from a relatively quiet rural railway to a busy semi–urban line, with a doubling of train services. The Wairarapa Line works already well underway include track renewals, bridge replacements, drainage and de-vegetation works, and slope stabilisation. These works also include the full replacement of the track through the 8.8km long Remutaka Tunnel. The track condition in the Remutaka tunnel currently restricts speeds to 60 km/h.
Q: What are the capacity upgrades on the Wairarapa Line?
A: Track renewal works have been underway on the Wairarapa Line since late 2021. Funding for that work came from the 2018 government budget. In 2021, KiwiRail received additional funding, this time from the New Zealand Upgrade Programme (NZUP) to increase the Wairarapa Line’s capacity to support more train services. NZUP-enabled upgrades include new signalling between Featherston and Masterton, new crossing loops to enable trains to pass each other, as well as safety improvements at all public level crossings on the Wairarapa Line.
Q: Why do the level crossings need improvements?
A: Many crossings on the Wairarapa Line do not have barriers, bells, and flashing lights. The ones that have pedestrian access do not have automatic gates for pedestrians to cross more safely. The funding we’ve received allows us to upgrade crossings with these safety features. In order for Metlink to introduce the new train timetable, KiwiRail and Metlink must prove to the rail regulator that upgrades are safe so far as is reasonably practicable (SFAIRP). There are 30 public level crossings between the Remutaka Tunnel and Masterton. On average this equates to one crossing every 1.5km, with some crossings as little as 175m apart. Level crossings present a documented risk to pedestrians and vehicles. That risk increases as we start to run more trains at faster speeds.
Q: What is KiwiRail doing at these crossings?
A: KiwiRail is investing significantly in improving every crossing on the line. This means:
- Where a road level crossing is remaining open, it will be upgraded with flashing lights and bells and half arm barriers (if they are not already installed) and minor road layout changes to enable safer use of the crossing.
- Where there is an existing pedestrian access at a level crossing, it will be upgraded with a new pedestrian access featuring automatic gates, flashing lights and bells, and a smooth level crossing surface.
- Where a road level crossing is proposed to be closed, it will be replaced with a new pedestrian access featuring automatic gates, flashing lights and bells, and a smooth level crossing surface.
Q: Will any crossings be closed? And why?
A: Yes. While we have not made any decisions yet on specific crossings, we know that some Wairarapa level crossings will need to be closed. We are consulting with local Councils and communities to understand what the concerns and impacts are in relation to any proposed closures.
Closing level crossings significantly improves safety by removing interactions between trains, vehicles and people. The trend in New Zealand and internationally is to close level crossings, wherever possible, because of the known risks they present to drivers and pedestrians.
In Masterton, we are proposing to close one of six level crossings. This is Judds Road, which is particularly risky for drivers because of the short distance between the limit lines at Ngaumutawa Road and the rail line. What this means is that a long vehicle, even though it might comply with road regulations, is unable to safely clear the level crossing when stopping at the adjacent road intersection. This is a significant safety risk.
In the Carterton area, we are proposing to close four of the 17 public level crossings in the Carterton district area. These are Brooklyn Road, Victoria Street, Pembroke Street and Rhodes Street.
The level crossings that are proposed to remain open will all have automated barriers, flashing lights and bells, and various roading upgrades.
Proposed level crossing upgrades
The level crossings in the South Wairarapa District are not currently included in this document. We are in conversation with South Wairarapa District Council to ensure the level crossing upgrades are appropriately incorporated in the SWDC masterplan and consulted on together.
| Level Crossing | Existing Road Controls | Proposed Road Upgrade Treatments |
| Matarawa Road | Stop Sign | Barriers, flashing lights, bells, advanced warning, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
| Moffats Road | Stop Sign | Barriers, flashing lights, bells, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
| Watersons Line | Stop Sign | Barriers, flashing lights, bells, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
| Hodders Road | Stop Sign | Barriers, flashing lights, bells, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
| Dalefield Road | Flashing lights and bells | Barriers, flashing lights, bells, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
| Lincoln Road | Flashing lights and bells | Barriers, flashing lights, bells, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
| Brooklyn Road | Flashing lights and bells | Closure – Pedestrian and cycle access retained with automatic gates, flashing lights, bells and crossing surfaces upgraded |
| Victoria Street | Flashing lights and bells | Closure – Pedestrian access retained with automatic gates, flashing lights, bells and crossing surfaces upgraded |
| Pembroke Street | Flashing lights and bells | Closure – Pedestrian access retained with automatic gates, flashing lights, bells and crossing surfaces upgraded |
| Belvedere Road | Flashing lights and bells | Barriers, flashing lights, bells, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
| Rhodes Street | Flashing lights and bells | Closure – Pedestrian access retained with automatic gates, flashing lights, bells and crossing surfaces upgraded |
| Kent Street | Flashing lights and bells | Barriers, flashing lights, bells, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
| Andersons Line | Stop Sign | Barriers, flashing lights, bells, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
| Chester Road | Flashing lights and bells | Barriers, flashing lights, bells, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
| Wiltons Road | Stop Sign | Barriers, flashing lights, bells, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
| Norman Avenue | Barriers, flashing lights and bells | Roading upgrades |
| Norfolk Road | Flashing lights and bells | Barriers, flashing lights, bells, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
| Ngaumutawa Road | Barriers, flashing lights and bells | Crossing surface, removal of raised central median strip, flashing lights relocated to kerbside, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
| Judds Road | Flashing lights and bells | Closure – Pedestrian access retained with automatic gates, flashing lights, bells and crossing surfaces upgraded |
| Hillcrest Street | Flashing lights and bells | Barriers, flashing lights, bells, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
| Cornwall Street | Flashing lights and bells | Barriers, flashing lights, bells, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
| Renall Street | Barriers, flashing lights and bells | Barriers, flashing lights, bells, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
| Akura Road | Flashing lights and bells | Flashing lights, bells, roading upgrades (eg; markings and railings) |
Q: How did KiwiRail decide which crossings to close?
A: Level Crossing Safety Impact Assessments (LCSIA’s) were carried out across all the public level crossings in the Wairarapa region.
LCSIA’s are a relatively new process developed by KiwiRail to assess the level of crash risk of existing and new/upgraded railway level crossings (for road and/or path users).
An LCSIA involves assessing the relative safety risk of the existing crossing and identifying what crossing features would be required to reduce that risk to an acceptable level.
The LCSIA is not the only factor that KiwiRail are considering. Where there are a significant number of level crossings over a short stretch of railway line, we are proposing to close the level crossings because there are too many, not because an individual crossing fails the LSCIA criteria. This is in line with large rail infrastructure projects elsewhere in New Zealand and internationally.
We have been working with the Wairarapa councils and Waka Kotahi’s road safety team to review the impact of road closures.
The proposed closures would only affect vehicles. Pedestrian and cyclist access would remain open.
Q: Why can’t you just put bridges over the tracks and keep the road open?
A: Grade separation [bridges or underpasses] is very expensive compared to other methods of control. They are also more expensive to maintain and have a much higher visual and construction impact on the community. They are also not simple to implement in built up areas due to the space requirements.
Q: Why are the level crossings considered to be high risk when there has never been any accidents?
A: Risk assessement is made on the potential for accidents. That potential increases significantly with the introduction of new trains on the network that will be travel more often and faster. The new trains being introduced on the Wairarapa Line are also quieter. KiwiRail need to make sure that the potential for accidents is either eliminated by closure or reduced as much as possible with controls that prevent people from risky behaviour.
Q: Why are the level crossings considered to be high risk when there has never been any accidents?
A: We will be installing automated pedestrian gates and upgraded surfaces at all pedestrian crossings. Many of the crossings currently lack specific controls to protect pedestrians and suitable surfaces for all users. The new crossings will be designed to prevent people from crossing when a train is coming.
Q: What about the increased journey times that the road closures will create?
A: In Carterton some of the crossings are only 175m apart. This represents a very small increase in driving time. All the roads we are proposing to close have an nearby alternative vehicle route that reconnects to SH2. If we close Judds Rd, the alternative route to access this road from the north will be to remain on SH2 and either turn right in, or continue a short distance to the Ngamutawa roundabout and turn back to do a left turn in. Vehicles approaching from the south can remain on SH2 and turn left into Judds Road.
If heavy vehicles coming from the north want to bypass the the centre of Masterton they can continue to use Ngamutawa Road bypass to the roundabout on SH2 and take a left onto SH2 and turn left again onto Judds Road.
Q: If you are leaving the crossing open for pedestrians, how does this make them safer?
We will be installing automated pedestrian gates and upgraded surfaces at all pedestrian crossings. Many of the crossings currently lack specific controls to protect pedestrians and suitable surfaces for all users. The new crossings will be designed to prevent people from crossing when a train is coming.
Q: Are the proposed level crossing closures just cost-cutting measures?
A: Safety, not cost, is the key driver behind the decision making process.
Q: There’s been no accidents on Judds Road level crossing, how can you say it is high risk?
A: The crossing has an unacceptably high potential for accidents because of the short stacking issue where a truck cannot wait at the intersection without sitting across the tracks. This high potential becomes higher with the introduction of more frequent train services. In the coming years, trains will be travelling more often and faster.
Q: Why don’t you put something like traffic signals in at Judds Road?
A: Traffic signals are a road controlling system. This is not something KiwiRail is funded to install. We are willing to work with the RCA to implement traffic signals, however, if the funding becomes available from an outside source.
Q: KiwiRail made it clear in the public meetings that they do not have jurisdiction on Brooklyn Road. If it is to stay open. will KiwiRail pay for the safety improvements, as with the other roads?
A: KiwiRail is currently funded to install half-arm barriers and flashing lights and bells. We have reviewed the situation with the CDC roading authorities and, if the decision is made to close the road crossing, there could be a case for reallocating the funds to install automated pedestrian and cycle access across the rail at this location.
If the Council prefers to keep Brooklyn Road level crossing open and wish to fund installation of a pedestrian crossing, KiwiRail have suggested that the upgrade could happen at the same time as the road crossing upgrades, as this would save on construction cost. We have shared the estimated cost of the pedestrian crossing at this location with the CDC roading authority.
KiwiRail does not have jurisdiction over the closure of the Brooklyn Rd level crossing. These options remain open and under discussion as we consult with the Council and the community and ultimately the decision lies with the Council and roading authority.
Q: How many times has KiwiRail met with Carterton District Council and Masterton District Council to discuss the level crossing proposals? On what date did those meetings take place?
A: The following meetings took place:
- 11 August 2021: Level crossing workshop during Rail Safety Week. Attendees includes road control authority [RCA] from Masterton District Council. We mentioned that some level crossings might need to be closed.
2 February 2022: Masterton District Councillors. General Wairarapa works update. Potential level crossing closures mentioned. - 2 March 2022 Carterton District Councillors and Executive Leadership Team. Potential level crossing closures mentioned.
- Early 2022 Safety assessments carried out at all level crossings with RCAs in attendance.
- 22 March 2022 Masterton District Council Executive team presented initial detailed level crossing closures proposal
- 24 March 2022 Masterton District Council cycling and roading team. Discussed specific level crossing closures.
- 20 July 2022: Carterton District Council RCA. Discussed specific level crossing closures.
- 28 July 2022 Presentation to Masterton District Council RCA and chief executive on proposed level crossing closures.
7 December 2022 Presentation to Masterton District Council Councillors. - 22 March 2023 Carterton District Councillors. Discussed some of the specific level crossing closures.
- 24 March 2023 Carterton District cycleways team meeting. Brooklyn Rd discussed.
- 27 April 2023 Masterton District Council Safety in Design workshop looking at design specifics around each level crossings including the ones KiwaiRail is proposing to close. Attendees included MDC’s infrastructure manager RCA.
- 28 April 2023 Carterton District Safety in Design workshop. Attended by CDC RCA.
- 5 May 2023 Paper presented to Carterton District Council for discussion, with specifics on proposed closures including Brooklyn Rd.
Q: A steering group of Carterton representatives was mentioned at the meeting. Has this been formed?
A: Carterton District Council has collected expressions of interest for a steering group of Carterton residents.
Q: What are the next steps?
A: KiwiRail’s consultation period will run until the end of October. They will be making an informed decision by end November. Before then, KiwiRail will continue to consult with relevant parties including steering groups set up for the specific purpose of engaging on the proposed level crossing closures. We will also continue to engage with Wairarapa communities. We will share dates of any events we are proposing to hold as soon as we have them confirmed.