Two arrested after Restore Passenger Rail protesters occupy gantry above Johnsonville State Highway 1

The Restore Passenger Rail protesters above Johsonville State Highway 1. Photo / Supplied

Two people are in police custody after Restore Passenger Rail protesters blocked traffic again - this time above Johnsonville State Highway 1.

The 48-year-old woman had scaled the gantry and came down safely with the assistance of police. She was arrested alongside a 45-year-old man, who did not climb the gantry.

The road has reopened, but traffic delays are expected while it clears.

FINAL UPDATE 9:50AM
SH1 Johnsonville is now fully OPEN following a prior incident. Thank you for your ongoing patience while the traffic eases back to normal. ^SG https://t.co/RGwNeqZ5E0

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Wellington (@WakaKotahiWgtn) May 4, 2023

The group told the Herald yesterday they intend to continue the protests for as long as they can, that their protests are in the name of climate change and they will not stop until the Government makes a reasonable move on its demands.

However, the Government has shown little interest. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins called them idiotic, and Transport Minister Michael Wood said they’re the most ineffective lobby group he has ever encountered.

Talking to Georgina Campbell on On the Tiles - Local Edition, the Herald’s politics podcast, Wood said they are “the least relevant and least effective lobby group I’ve ever encountered”.

Wood did invite members of the group for a meeting in his office last year after they abseiled at the entrance of the Mt Victoria tunnel and formed a human chain across the Transmission Gully motorway.

“They had basically nothing to contribute to the debate.”

The group want an affordable passenger rail service from Whangārei down to Wellington, including New Plymouth, Rotorua, Tauranga and Gisborne, and from Picton across to Greymouth and down to Invercargill.

They also want free fares on all public transport.