Be prepared for delays over the holiday period

The Wairarapa line of Kiwirail will experience delays over the holiday season.

KiwiRail is warning commuters to expect delays of up to 15 minutes on the Wairarapa Line in the lead up to the holidays.

The next stage of its programme to upgrade the Wellington rail network has begun, ahead of a series of major projects that will be completed over the holiday period.

Metro general manager David Shepherd said there will be some delays to Tranz Metro services on the Kapiti, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa lines in the weeks leading up to the holidays as preparation for the track work gets under way.

"At this stage, we are forecasting delays of up to eight minutes for the Kapiti and Hutt Valley lines and up to 15 minutes for the Wairarapa service.

"We acknowledge this will impact on travel times, but the speed restrictions are essential because our staff and customers need to be safe at all times. We will keep customers fully updated on what is happening."

Mr Shepherd said Metro services would not be running between Wellington and Upper Hutt station from December 26 through until January 4.

"The Christmas and New Year period is when passenger numbers are much lower than during the rest of the year. Closing the lines means that KiwiRail will be able to get a significant amount of the work completed, and more efficiently than when regular services are running."

The work will deliver long-term improvements in the reliability and efficiency of the network and customer service, Mr Shepherd said.

The work will include replacing the spans and sleepers on the bridge at Eastern Hutt Road in Silverstream.

"This bridge is located on a major rail passenger route and has a history of being struck by trucks and heavy vehicles. The bridge will be strengthened and its height will be raised to allow more clearance for vehicles passing underneath.

"Our teams will also be installing new sleepers and upgrading three level crossings at Sutherland Avenue, Ward Street and Blenheim Street between Trentham and Upper Hutt and also replacing sleepers on a section of the line at Kaiwharawhara."

Tranz Metro train services on the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa lines will continue to operate until December 26.

In the meantime, customers should plan for some delays in the coming weeks, Mr Shepherd said. Speed restrictions are due to start being lifted in January.