Rail links to Lyttelton resume

Thursday 3rd March 2011

KiwiRail freight services to the Port of Lyttelton resumed from 5pm yesterday, following a halt caused by last week's devastating earthquake.

Containerised freight began moving last night, and coal trains were expected to start during the weekend, KiwiRail said today.

Normally seven coal trains a day go to Lyttelton, but since the quake the coal trains had been held on the West Coast.

Services would be running under a temporary 25kmh speed restriction.

KiwiRail chief executive Jim Quinn said getting rail freight services running to and from Christchurch had been a mammoth effort from KiwiRail staff and from the port.

"I have been overwhelmed by the dedication of all our people, despite their own personal circumstances, to get our trains running again," he said.

"It is vital for Christchurch that the supply chains are up and running as soon as possible. While we had the main north, south, and west lines running within a couple of days, extensive damage to infrastructure leading to the port needed more time for repair."

KiwiRail said a major part of the work was repairing the Martindale Bridge near Heathcote, which had involved putting a steel structure underneath the bridge. Some track was also diverted on the Lyttelton side and the port company had done work to mitigate the risk of rock falls.

Quinn said that despite the speed restrictions, trains would still cause some vibration and noise, which may concern some residents.

He asked anyone with concerns to call KiwiRail on 0800 351 351.

NZPA

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