Improvements to Waikanae and Paraparaumu railway stations are starting to take shape – at least on paper. Designs for the new stations are complete and construction work is expected to begin in March 2010.
Both stations are being upgraded as part of the Wellington Region Rail Programme, a joint initiative to improve passenger rail services by KiwiRail (Tranz Metro and ONTRACK) and Greater Wellington Regional Council.
For the Kapiti Coast, this includes the extension of double tracking and electrification to bring regular Tranz Metro commuter services to Waikanae. Work on this project is currently underway and is expected to be complete by the end of 2010.
At Waikanae Station a 200 metre platform will be built at the current station location. Wellington Region Rail Director David Gordon explained that the station will remain where it is in the interim to enable regular Tranz Metro services to reach the town by 2011.
“By improving the station in its current location, it will be ready for the arrival of regular commuter services. Keeping it where it is now, doesn’t preclude it going somewhere else in the future,” David said.
Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Transport and Access Committee, says the station upgrades, along with the double tracking and electrification to Waikanae represent a huge investment in, and improvement to, the Kapiti rail network. “Better public transport services will make the Kapiti Coast an even more attractive place to live, work and play in.”
David Gordon said KiwiRail was working closely with Greater Wellington Regional Council, with the NZ Transport Agency and Kapiti Coast District Council on how future roading developments might interact with possible future station locations.
“For now though, we’re focused on having a station ready so people living in Waikanae can catch regular Tranz Metro services to and from Wellington.”
The new station building at Waikanae will have toilets, a waiting room and ticket office. A pedestrian level crossing to the north of the station will provide access to a second car park on the eastern side of the railway tracks.
In Paraparaumu a new underpass will connect the existing road subway with a second platform to the east of the tracks, replacing the current overbridge. A station building similar to the one proposed for Waikanae will go on the northern end of the new platform.
More information about the station designs is contained in a pamphlet available at KCDC offices and libraries or online at www.ontrack.govt.nz and www.gw.govt.nz.