Government’s announcement on upgrading the Hutt Valley Line is great news for Upper Hutt says Upper Hutt City Councillor, Angela McLeod.

 “It is fantastic that the Government has just given the green light on a $46.2 million upgrade of the rail line south of the Rimutaka Hill tunnel, including double-tracking between Trentham and Upper Hutt,” says Mrs McLeod.

 “I have been campaigning for double-tracking for nearly ten years, including working with Greater Wellington Regional Councillor Paul Swain, and I’m stoked to hear its finally happening.

 “Half of Upper Hutt’s working population work outside of the city with many choosing to use the trains, however, many are fed up with having to wait in their trains at Upper Hutt Station or south of Trentham for other trains to pass.

 “The double tracking will allow faster, more reliable services to and from Upper Hutt, which will improve the rail journey time along the Hutt Valley Line including in and out of Wellington.

 “The work on double-tracking can’t happen quick enough,” says Mrs McLeod.