Bridge could be the key to more trains on Melling Line

Thursday, 27 June 2024

A plan of the Melling Interchange and RiverLink from April 2022 included a bridge linking to the new Melling Station.

Trains could run on the Melling Line on weekends as part of the RiverLink project.

The long awaited project has, however, stalled over the past 18 months as contractors try to agree on a final design and cost for the project, which had an initial budget of $700m.

A Greater Wellington report on the troubled Lower Hutt project outlines the potential public transport benefits of Riverlink, which includes an interchange at Melling and two new bridges across Te Awa Kairangi/ Hutt River.

Greater Wellington also plans to relocate the Melling Station southwards, where a bridge across the river would provide cycle/walking access to central Lower Hutt.

The city council is hoping that urban renewal associated with the project would result in thousands of new apartments, some of which would be in the central city.

The report, by senior strategic advisor Emma Hope, lists the benefits of a new Melling Station and bridge, which includes much shorter travel times to Wellington.

When completed, the Melling Station would also provide an option for people who are walking or cycling on the 4.5km shared path, Te Ara Tupua, between Petone and Wellington to use public transport for part of their journey.

An artist’s impression of the revised design for the Melling Interchange, released earlier this month.

With RiverLink stalled, however, Greater Wellington appears concerned over speculation that the cycling/walking bridge will not go ahead.

Earlier this year Minister of Infrastructure Chris Bishop conceded the project was facing financial pressure.

The following week a programme director acknowledged the budget was unrealistic.

“With regard to progressing the wider programme of work, the proposal submitted by [the alliance] is not currently affordable.”

Earlier this month NZTA released a “revised concept design” of the Melling Interchange which again led to speculation that the proposed bridge had been cut from the design.

Hope’s report emphasises the importance of the new station and bridge to improving public transport. It would also improve resilience and encourage mode shift away from cars.

“Construction of the CityLink Bridge is expected to significantly increase the attractiveness of the rail connection between Hutt City and Wellington given the relocated Melling Station’s proximity directly across Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River.”

Greater Wellington’s transport chair Thomas Nash hopes trains on the Melling Line can run on weekends.

The bridge would increase numbers using the trains, which in turn, Hope said could lead to more services, including weekend trains.

More train commuters would also reduce emissions and improved walking and cycling links are “critical elements underpinning” the wider transport outcomes being pursued by both Greater Wellington and Hutt City, she said.

Greater Wellington transport chair Thomas Nash said he hoped Hope’s report would serve as a reminder of how important the bridge is to improved public transport outcomes for Lower Hutt.

Melling is currently a “useful line” but, with a new location, a bridge would greatly increase its usefulness to the city.

As well as increasing the number of weekday trains, it could result in the introduction of weekend services, he says.

Despite the delays and speculation over the future of RiverLink, Nash is still “hopeful” it would proceed and include the walking/cycling bridge.

He said the Government had made a lot of noise about making decisions based on robust evidence.

What the report shows, Nash says, is that the case for the bridge is a strong one and it would provide many benefits for Hutt City and public transport users.

Greater Wellington discuss the report today at its 9.30am meeting.