Melling Station building to re-open tomorrow

Melling Station building will re-open tomorrow (Tuesday 18 February) now that the public access areas have been cleared of asbestos dust.

The building was closed in December last year when tests found evidence of asbestos dust in parts of the building.

Wayne Hastie, Greater Wellington Regional Council’s General Manager Public Transport, says the building was cleaned thoroughly to remove the asbestos dust.

“Tests taken after the cleaning was done showed no signs of asbestos dust. The coffee kiosk and ticket agency at Melling Station will open again tomorrow.”

Evidence of asbestos dust was found during testing late last year. A testing programme was scheduled as part of the Council’s asset management programme after the Council took over ownership of all stations in the region except for Wellington Railway Station. The programme was brought forward after asbestos was found in an old part of the Thorndon electric multiple unit depot when the roof was damaged in a storm. “We decided it was best to test all of our similarly aged buildings sooner rather than later.”

Along with Melling Station building, the signal box at Taita Station and some parts of Upper Hutt, Trentham and Woburn station buildings tested positive for asbestos dust. The signal box is being used again after thorough cleaning removed asbestos dust. The affected areas at Upper Hutt, Trentham and Woburn stations were all non-public access areas. They have been sealed and will be cleaned. The roof at Trentham Station has been replaced.

ENDS

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