Auckland Transport Media Release

Thursday 25 August

Strand rail station brought back to life

A part of Auckland’s rail history the former Strand rail station in Parnell has been brought back into operational service.

The Strand station first opened in 1930 then closed to passenger trains in 2003, was re-opened today. The ceremony was led by Ngati Whatua kaumatua Bob Hawke and attended by Auckland Council Cr. Mike Lee who is also a Board member of Auckland Transport. The Strand begins its new operational life as a stabling yard and emergency back-up station to Britomart.

Auckland Transport with partner KiwiRail restored the former station to operational level during the last six months. The $1.7 million project involved the raising and resurfacing of platforms and removing severely degraded platform canopies. The stabling yard now has new tracks, signalling equipment, several new passenger access points, improved lighting and security.

In recognition of the station’s past the Historic Places Trust has been involved with the project to ensure some historic perspective of the old station platforms were kept for the people of Auckland.

Auckland Transport Rail Improvements Project Director Nick Seymour says it was always Auckland Transport’s intention to retain a part of Auckland’s rail history.

“Auckland Transport is vested with developing Auckland’s rail inheritance alongside planning the longer term future of rail. The Historic Places Trust has been a key player in our plans.

“The sections we have retained are outside the operational platform area, there will also be visuals and text displays so people know the history of what was there.

“Restoring the Strand to operational service is another stepping stone in the development of Auckland’s rail network and brings further operational resilience to the central area,” says Mr Seymour.

Should there be any disruption of services in or out of Britomart the Strand station can be brought into emergency operational use to enable continued passenger operations while disruption is cleared.

Platform work included:

• Raising and resurfacing of both platforms,

• Removal of severely degraded platform canopies in the usable platform area

• Installation of new lighting and public address systems

• Installation of several new access routes to enable safe movement of large passenger numbers

• Installation of wayfinding and station signage

• Retention of representative section of canopies in the non-operational platform area.

ENDS

About Auckland Transport

Auckland Transport is a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) of Auckland Council. It is responsible for all of the region’s transport services (excluding state highways) - from roads and footpaths, to cycling, parking and public transport.

Among its main tasks are:

To design, build and maintain Auckland’s roads, ferry wharves, cycleways and walkways.

Co-ordinate road safety and community transport initiatives such as school travel

Plan and fund bus, train and ferry services across Auckland.

For more information go to www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz.

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