Upper Hutt Station building signals new beginning

A new modern station for Upper Hutt signals a new beginning for Upper Hutt, say city and regional leaders.

"We’re really excited about the draft plans that have now been released. The new station will provide a modern look for Upper Hutt, a much needed face lift for the centre of town and will bring a sense of pride and place to the community”, says Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy.

Fran Wilde, Chair of Greater Wellington Regional Council, says the new station will provide a proper transport hub for the city. “It provides a modern transport hub in the heart of the city. It will give passengers and staff an open, light, safe and visible facility that reflects the station as an attractive gateway to Upper Hutt.”

The draft plans include a light modern waiting room and ticket office for train users, protection from the wind and rain for bus users, public toilets, improved lighting and CCTV to improve safety at night and better access for pedestrians and cyclists. The new building will have facilities for train and bus staff given the station is a terminus.

Fran Wilde says the station designers explored the possibility of refurbishing the old building, but concluded that it was easier and cheaper to start from scratch. “Quantity surveyors who assessed the building told us it wouldn’t be commercially viable to refurbish and it may be more expensive trying to alter and extend certain sections of the existing facility than it would be to demolish and completely rebuild.”

This significant investment in the Upper Hutt transport hub has been achieved through collaboration with Upper Hutt City Council, the Regional Council and the NZ Transport Agency. “Without this approach, the station upgrade could well have continued to sit on the backburner for years,” says Mayor Guppy.

"Boosting public transport patronage is integral to keeping Wellington’s transport network flowing efficiently,” says Transport Agency Regional Planning and Investment Manager Lyndon Hammond. “By investing in the upgrade of Upper Hutt Station, we can make public transport more attractive and encourage people to take advantage of our region's renewed train fleet."

Upper Hutt regional councillor Paul Swain says he is thrilled with the plans for the new station.

“The important thing for Upper Hutt is that a new station is about to become a reality that will serve public transport users for years to come. That day can't come soon enough," says Mr Swain.

Construction is due to start sometime this financial year, and is likely to take at least a year to complete.

ends

© Scoop Media