Monday 8 December

Rail disruption on Western line tonight following discovery of gas leak

ONTRACK and its contractors are working closely with Vector and emergency services to ensure repairs to a damaged gas main near the rail corridor in New Lynn are carried out as quickly and safely as possible.

The damaged gas main was discovered earlier today.

The Western line (North Auckland Line) is closed to rail traffic between Avondale and Henderson until further notice. There have been some local evacuations and traffic diversions.

Repairs will continue through the night to ensure rail services are running again as soon as possible. At this point Vector is still reviewing what impacts the repairs may have on gas services.

"We regret the disruption caused and our priority is to get the repairs carried out as safely as possible, while keeping impacts on rail and gas users and the community, to a minimum," says ONTRACK's Northern Regional manager, Stephen Collett.

Reduced rail services will be running between Britomart and Avondale with rail bus replacements in place for rail commuters between Avondale and Henderson and train shuttles between Henderson and Waitakere. A special bus will be put on for Helensville commuters at Avondale.

Rail commuters are advised to check with MAXX before travelling and to consider using alternative public transport options for their journey.

ONTRACK and Veolia Transport apologise for this disruption and are working hard to re-open this section of the network to trains as quickly as possible.

MAXX contact details 09 366 6400 or www.maxx.co.nz

ENDS

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