Key Takeaways
- Melling Station in Lower Hutt has closed for approximately three years due to major infrastructure works
- The Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi RiverLink project includes flood protection, river restoration, and public transport upgrades
- The Melling Line will remain open during construction, but trains will stop at Western Hutt Station, with public transport alternatives available for passengers
- The closure is expected to cause short-term disruption, but will ultimately help revitalise the city
- A new Melling Station is planned to open, coinciding with a new City Link pedestrian and cycling bridge, to create a direct connection between Lower Hutt city centre and the station
Introduction to Melling Station Closure
The Melling Station in Lower Hutt has seen its last service for approximately three years, marking the beginning of a significant infrastructure project in the area. The final service between Wellington and Melling train stations ran at 6:37 pm on Wednesday, bringing an end to the station’s current operations. The Greater Wellington Regional Council has announced that the infrastructure project, Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi RiverLink, will include flood protection, river restoration, and public transport upgrades, which will require the relocation of the Melling station building.
Infrastructure Project Details
The Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi RiverLink project is a comprehensive initiative aimed at improving the region’s infrastructure and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents. The project includes flood protection measures, river restoration, and public transport upgrades, which will not only benefit the environment but also provide better transportation options for the community. The Greater Wellington Regional Council has stated that while the Melling Line will remain open during construction, trains will stop at the Western Hutt Station, where passengers will be met by public transport alternatives. This arrangement is expected to cause short-term disruption for passengers, but it will ultimately contribute to the revitalization of the city.
Alternative Transport Arrangements
The Greater Wellington Regional Council has announced that alternative transport arrangements will be made available for passengers during the construction period. The council’s public transport committee chair, Ros Connelly, has stated that additional Park and Ride spaces will be available at Petone Station, and bus routes 145 and 149 will be rerouted to connect with Waterloo Station, where fares to Wellington remain the same. Furthermore, bike racks will be added at key stations to support active travel, encouraging passengers to explore alternative modes of transportation. These arrangements are intended to minimize the impact of the closure on passengers and ensure that they can still access the services they need.
Future Plans for Melling Station
The closure of Melling Station is not a permanent one, as plans are underway to reopen a new and improved station in the future. The Greater Wellington Regional Council has announced that the reopening of the new Melling Station is planned to coincide with a new City Link pedestrian and cycling bridge, which will create a direct connection between Lower Hutt city centre and the station. This development is expected to enhance the overall transportation network in the region, providing better access to the city centre and improving the quality of life for residents. The new station will be part of a modern, resilient transport network, which will benefit the community for years to come.
Reaction from Regional Council
The closure of Melling Station has been met with a mix of emotions from regional politicians, who are both sad to see the current station go and excited about the future possibilities. Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter, who was on board for the final journey, described the moment as bittersweet. He acknowledged the significant role that Melling Station has played in serving the Hutt Valley community for decades and expressed his enthusiasm for the future, where the station will be part of a modern, resilient transport network. The regional council’s public transport committee chair, Ros Connelly, also acknowledged the temporary disruption that the closure will cause but emphasized the long-term benefits of the project, including increased bus and train use during construction due to increased road congestion.
Conclusion
The closure of Melling Station marks the beginning of a new era for the region, as the Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi RiverLink project gets underway. While the short-term disruption may cause some inconvenience for passengers, the long-term benefits of the project will ultimately outweigh the costs. The new Melling Station, combined with the City Link pedestrian and cycling bridge, will create a modern, resilient transport network that will benefit the community for years to come. As the region looks to the future, it is clear that the closure of Melling Station is not an end, but rather a new beginning, marking the start of an exciting new chapter in the region’s transportation history.