Rail disruptions will happen again

Newmarket Business Association

Tuesday, 23 October 2007

Rail disruptions will happen again around Newmarket

"We are asking rail commuters to brace themselves for potentially more disruption in and around Auckland's most important rail junction over the next couple of years," says Cameron Brewer, general manager of the Newmarket Business Association.

His comments following major disruption to rail services this morning as a result of delays around Ontrack's re-laying of new rail tracks in Newmarket over Labour Weekend.

"Over the next three months two temporary stations will be constructed, with the main Newmarket station set to be decommissioned at Auckland anniversary weekend in late January.

"As well as building a new central station and platforms, there will be a significant reconfiguration of the rail junction as well as double tracking to Boston Road on the Western line. Unfortunately such major civil works will mean ongoing disruption but we're asking commuters to keep the faith.

"We're keeping optimistic because the $70m rail upgrade will be fantastic for Newmarket. Coupled with the $47m bus corridor from the city, and the new green Link buses, catching public transport to Newmarket will soon be an attractive option.

"In Sydney a lot of visitors catch the train to Bondi Junction to shop. We'd like to think that our $70m rail upgrade in Newmarket will help entice a few tourists disappointed with Queen Street.

"This rail upgrade is something we've lobbied for some time. Our station will go from being something out of Whangamomona to becoming a world class public transport facility. Until then the Newmarket Business Association will continue to work positively with the transport authorities to try to keep disruption to an absolute minimum," says Mr Brewer.

ENDS

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