Potentially fast-tracked Avondale-Southdown rail link receives mixed reactions

KiwiRail says that its Avondale-Southdown rail link may be fast-tracked, but not everyone is happy as opinions among locals and experts differ.

The $6 billion project, expected to take 30 years to complete, was first proposed when KiwiRail acquired land in the 1940s.

KiwiRail’s Chief Capital Planning and Asset Development Officer, Dave Gordon, says the rail link would bring economic benefits and improve connectivity for passenger trains in Auckland.

“It would also better enable the efficiency of ​freight services and free up inner city​ ​capacity for passenger trains​,” he says.

“T​he Avondale to Southdown corridor also unlocks network access and benefits for​ ​neighbouring regions and the wider New Zealand economy​.”

Gordon says the development of a new transport corridor will require “​a​ ​comprehensive planning process, extending over several years before any physical​ ​construction can start​.”

The rail link is “a major long-term project that is not funded, and it is only at the very initial stage.”

Gordon says that the project still requires consent, property purchases and funding before any progress is to be made.

“If it were to be progressed, environmental and community impacts would be considered as part of the process at that stage.”

However, Onehunga resident Jennie Rossetto, is concerned about the effects of construction on the area.

“I don’t believe it is in keeping with this beautiful heritage area and residential community,” she says.

“It’ll cause major disruption because they’ll have to cut off roads, have excess traffic, and sound. I don’t think it’s the right area to cut through for freight.”

The New Zealand Herald senior writer Simon Wilson, who covers transport, says that an Avondale to Southdown corridor is needed because freight cannot make it through the city on the existing rail network.

“You want as much freight to go by rail because rail has far fewer emissions than trucks and does far less damage to the roads.”

“A truck with a container on it does the same damage to a road as 10,000 cars.”

Wilson says that he does recognise residents' concerns about a new rail line through Onehunga.

“If the rail line proceeds, it’ll be disruptive to people who live near it. Freight at the moment is carried by diesel, and diesel engines are noisy.”