Photo: RNZ / Nick James
KiwiRail has confirmed plans to shut pedestrian access to a popular bridge across the Hutt River.
The Ava Rail bridge crosses Te Awa Kairangi Hutt River between the Ava railway station and Richmond Grove and includes a pedestrian path.
From February 24 next year, cyclists and walkers won't be allowed to use it anymore.
The next closest access across the Hutt River is about 1km away, at either the Waione Street bridge to the south or the Ewen Bridge to the north.
Kiwirail is closing the bridge to add new maintenance access as part of an upgrade, and it won't have enough protection for the public to use it.
Photo: RNZ / Nick James
The ageing sleepers on the rail bridge would be replaced, KiwiRail General Manager Metros Jon Knight said.
"In Budget 2024 Government has made a significant $52.9 million investment in the Wellington metro network, which includes replacing the ageing sleepers and rail on the Ava bridge. This work is crucial to ensure Hutt Valley Line services can keep running and we need to get onto the upgrade - starting in February next year.
"The bridge and walkway are almost 100 years old. Unfortunately, the way the walkway was built - sitting on extended sleepers and attached to the bridge spans - is not allowed by modern engineering standards which will come into effect when our re-sleepering work begins."
"We appreciate that the public walkway is used by locals, including high school students, to get across the Hutt River. However, standards have come a long way since the bridge was first built and we need to meet those modern safety requirements.
He said there were existing safety concerns with the walkway, which was not adequately separated from the rail line.
"A replacement walkway could be built, provided it is attached to the Ava Bridge's concrete piers. If this is something Hutt City Council wants to fund, we will work with them to make it happen."
The Ava Rail Bridge is owned by KiwiRail, and the walkway by Hutt City Council.
Ben Keat lived near the bridge and used it regularly on foot and on bikes.
Keat said the closure seemed like something KiwiRail needed to do.
"It is what it is, hopefully something bigger and better comes with it if that's the case."
He said walking across the bridge he did from time to time question its structual stability.
Shane Breedon said shutting the bridge would be a "bit of a pain in the arse".
"Everyday we get out for a walk around the river, we work nearby."
Bruce Haniel told RNZ the plans to shut the bridge were "very disappointing".
"I used to use it regularly to commute, I was living on the other side of the valley in Woburn."
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