Fast-track rail freight wins support

A proposal to use rail to move freight from Ports of Auckland's (POAL) sea port to its inland port in Wiri, won unanimous support from Auckland City Council's Transport and Urban Linkages Committee.

Councillor Glenda Fryer, the committee's deputy chairperson, says increasing the movement of freight by rail will free up the city's road network.

"Currently around 90 per cent of the freight from Ports of Auckland is distributed by road, with the remainder by rail," says Ms Fryer.

"Reducing the number of container trucks using the network to shift freight inland has both economic and environmental benefits. We are sure rail will be more cost effective, safer and reduce the emissions causing damage to our city's environment.

"The plan to increase freight movement by rail will make a real difference to traffic flow on our road network – it means there may be fewer container trucks travelling along residential streets," says Ms Fryer.

POAL's Wiri site has good access by rail and road, making it an attractive site for distributing freight.

POAL is currently seeking funding from Ontrack to cover a one-off infrastructure cost. The Auckland Regional Council and Auckland Regional Transport Authority also support the proposal.