Latest news with #KiwiRail
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Warning still in place for NZ after Russia quake
By Soumya Bhamidipati of RNZ Emergency authorities say a tsunami threat to New Zealand from the giant quake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula is likely to remain in force until at least midday. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in its latest update a short time ago said tsunami activity had already reached parts of New Zealand. The first currents and surges were unlikely to be the largest and were expected to continue over many hours. NEMA said the threat must be regarded as real until the tsunami alert is cancelled; however, it did not report any significant developments overnight. Meanwhile authorities have been on alert for any dangerous tsumani activity overnight. An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off Russia's remote east coast on Wednesday, triggering tsunami waves on multiple country's shores - including New Zealand, several Pacific nations, the US and Canadian coasts, and parts of South America. The quake is tied for the sixth-strongest ever recorded, and the strongest since 2011, when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit northeast Japan, triggering a devastating tsunami. Civil Defence Northland said the forecast tsunami activity in its region, expected at about 12am-1am, would coincide with high tide. Further south, Bluff was not expected to see its earliest tsunami waves until at least 4.46 am. Various online webcams, dotted along the country's coasts and monitored by RNZ overnight, did not appear to reveal any damage - although daybreak could bring this to light. Boaties were advised not to remain on their vessels. Auckland Emergency Management opened four Civil Defence Centres for people lived aboard and who did not have friends or family to stay with. The centres would remain open until 8am Thursday. Auckland Emergency Management said two boaties spent the night at its Waikeke Island civil defence centre. KiwiRail detoured some of its Cook Strait ferries overnight, adding about 40 minutes to three Interislander sailings. It said the Marlborough harbourmaster had ordered all ferries travelling to Picton to use the Marlborough Sound's northern entrance, instead of Tory Channel, from 10pm on Wednesday. KiwiRail expected the harbourmaster would assess whether to re-open the channel at 6am Thursday. Further afield, while many countries began to lift their tsunami warnings into the early hours of Thursday, others issued new ones. As the threat to Japan, the Philippines, Russia, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Cook Islands eased, French Polynesia warned of waves as high as four metres, Colombia ordered evacuations along its Pacific coast and Chilean authorities issued a red alert for Easter Island. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said New Zealanders in affected areas should follow the advice of local authorities at all times, including any evacuation orders, and let family and friends in New Zealand know that they were safe.
Scoop
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Government's Transport Policies Are Flawed
The government is disingenuous about its road management policies, especially when it comes to pot holes and resurfacing costs. The government brought this about by allowing trucks to become heavier than NZ roads can take and travel faster than it is safe for them to go with the added side effect of causing more road damage. Vehicles over 3 tonnes pay just 14% of the cost of building and maintaining roads in NZ and do 93% 0f the damage to roads. Since the extra damage has occurred the government has had to add a further $4b for pot holes and resurfacing over three years to fix the problem. National coordinator for TRAC, Niall Robertson says, 'We have the biggest and heaviest trucks in the world and they are driving on the flimsiest roads in the world. This is an astounding fact, especially as KiwiRail are now doing just 9% of the freight task'. Robertson adds, 'Rail should be doing between 30 to 40% of the freight task but for some reason, this is not the case'. TRAC chair Guy Wellwood says that KiwiRail are expected to follow a business formula set by treasury, the major shareholder, but Wellwood says, 'The formula is not working because it ignores all of the advantages of rail while concentrating on a small fiscal goal which is irrelevant to most New Zealanders'. Robertson says, 'There is too much use of road transport and rail is not utilised enough. This is because there appears to be an endless stream of infrastructure money from road users, taxpayers and ratepayers, but KiwiRail have to justify every penny spent.' Robertson adds, 'That's why roads like SH2 from Gisborne to Napier remain open but the adjacent rail is mothballed'. Guy Wellwood says that SH2 is really not suitable for the amount of trucks on the road and rail is the best way to move freight in and out of this region, but this is dependent on KiwiRail resources and that they are putting their resources into other busier trunk routes and the Golden Triangle. Wellwood says, 'This is ridiculous and is why the below wheel infrastructure should not tied to KiwiRail's fortunes, but to the nation to provide an opportunity for another operator to run trains on this route for the good of the region, for rail customers, for greater road safety, to reduce greenhouse gases, to reduce road pollution, to reduce road maintenance and building costs and to decrease congestion on this difficult highway. Rail also provides sustainability and improves New Zealand's green credentials which are becoming increasingly important for trade.' Robertson says that if the connection on the Stratford to Taumarunui line was reopened it would be possible for rail to move up to 2000 tonnes of logs per day from the King Country to Port Taranaki. Robertson adds, 'On SH3 between Whanganui and Port Taranaki, there are up to 1000 log trucks per week which pass 5 or 6 schools in New Plymouth city alone on their way to the port. No wonder the roads are falling to pieces'. Wellwood says, ': KiwiRail need to up their game and start moving some of this tonnage. Why they haven't is a mystery to me'. Government policy tends to favour road infrastructure funding over rail, yet rail is the most suitable way to move 30% - 40% of all freight and should be funded accordingly, but due to climate of populist, but flawed thinking this is not happening. Robertson says, 'Large parts of the railway have been severely damaged due to neglect and political vandalism with little concern for the communities, businesses, ratepayers and taxpayers that these decisions affect!'
RNZ News
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Wellington train line given all clear after reports of car hitting bridge
File photo. Photo: RNZ / Krystal Gibbens Trains are running again on Wellington's Kāpiti line after a halt due to reports of a car hitting a rail bridge. The report of the collision came from a member of the public at 7.25am on Tuesday. The bridge runs over the top of State Highway 1 in Ngauranga Gorge in Wellington. Metlink said KiwiRail had to inspect the bridge before services could run again. The bridge was given the all clear, Metlink warned delays were possible staff and trains got back to where they were needed on the line. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Car reportedly hits rail bridge, Wellington commuter line suspended
File photo. Photo: RNZ / Krystal Gibbens Train services on the Wellington region's Kāpiti line between Porirua and the capital have been suspended due to reports of a car hitting a rail bridge. The report of the collision came from a member of the public at 7.25am on Tuesday. The bridge runs over the top of State Highway 1 in Ngauranga Gorge in Wellington. Metlink said KiwiRail needed to inspect the bridge before services could run again. Attempts were being made to source buses for passengers but availability was limited. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
New access to Clifton industrial area safer, more efficient
ODT GRAPHIC Accessing Invercargill's Clifton industrial area will be safer and more efficient from next week. The new access off the Elles Rd roundabout, across the recently upgraded KiwiRail level crossing, will be available from Monday. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Southland senior project manager Jason Forbes said the existing access via Lake St about 300m south of the Elles Rd roundabout would close. There will be signs advising of the closure of Lake St before July 28 and people should find the new, wider route preferable, Mr Forbes said. "Lake St is attracting increasing numbers of large trucks and with further developments in this area now under way, this traffic growth means this intersection is no longer fit for purpose." The access increases the number of exits to the roundabout to four. It will be the key route to the Invercargill City Council pound and wastewater treatment plant and Freight Haulage. The access off the Elles Rd roundabout will have new bells and barrier arms. There will also be a separated cycle path alongside the new road which will have automatic gates at the rail crossing to protect cyclists and pedestrians. — APL
