Track fault keeps train line to Auckland's Britomart station closed until Friday

Thursday, 17 September 2020

Britomart train station is currently closed. (File photo)

A track fault affecting the line to Auckland’s busiest train station is expected to keep it closed until Friday morning.

Auckland Transport said the fault near Britomart train station occurred early on Thursday morning and it alerted public transport users at 5.45am to the disruptions.

Auckland Transport has reintroduced special cleaning measures for buses, trains and ferries as Auckland moves to alert level 3. Published August 21.

Delays and cancellations are expected as the station is “temporarily closed” due to the issue.

All services that head to Britomart would stop at Newmarket.

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Replacement services are operating between the two stations.

“The Onehunga line is cancelled between Britomart and Penrose,” AT said.

“Rail replacement buses are running between Newmarket and Britomart.”

KiwiRail chief operating officer Todd Moyle said staff had been working on site all morning to repair the fault.

“We anticipate the line into Britomart will remain closed today but will reopen tomorrow morning.

“Further work will be undertaken on Friday evening to fully complete the job.”

The track fault was in relation to “extensive” work being done to repair about 100 kilometres of degraded rail across the Auckland network.

“KiwiRail was already aware of the faults near Britomart and had planned to deal with them during a future temporary closure.

“However, routine monitoring of the site last night revealed the rolling contact fatigue – cracks caused by pressure on the rail from trains passing over – was significant enough that they needed to be fixed immediately.”

Moyle apologised to public transport users affected by the disruptions.

“We assure the public that we are working around the clock and no maintenance work has higher priority than this project in Auckland.

“We thank commuters and neighbours for their patience as this urgent work continues.”