Western Corridor Plan: Adopted 2012
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The Western Corridor Plan 2012 was adopted by the
Regional Transport Committee on 15 August 2012. The
Plan covers land transport services from Otaki in the
north, down through to Wellington City, including
east-west connections to the Hutt Valley.
The Plan
The Western Corridor Plan 2012 is consistent with the
strategic direction outlined in the Regional Land Transport
Strategy 2010-2040 and the Government Policy
Statement on land transport funding 2012/13-2021/22.
A background gap analysis report was developed to
identify any issues facing the Western Corridor that were
not covered by current planning documents. This report
concluded that there were a few information gaps, but no
significant planning gaps were found.
Pressures and issues
The Western Corridor is a primary commuter and freight
route into and out of the Wellington region, connecting
communities and commercial areas within the region and
beyond. It also provides vital strategic access to the
Wellington City CBD, Port and International Airport as
well as the Wellington Regional Hospital. Significant
residential and commercial developments in the Western
Corridor are signalled to occur and freight volumes are
predicted to double over the coming decades. SH1
experiences peak period congestion at several hotspots
including the Ngauranga Gorge, Paremata and south of
Pukerua Bay. Off-peak congestion is a particular issue
in Kapiti during weekends and on public holidays.
Frequencies of rail services are limited by the single-
tracked tunnels of the North-South Junction, and other
track and signalling issues. East-west connections are
another significant issue within the corridor, with capacity
investigations of SH58 packaged with feasibility study of
a new link road between Petone and Grenada. While
various sections of the cycling network have undergone
piecemeal investment, there is currently no continuous,
safe cycling route through the Western Corridor. This
limits growth of this mode for longer distance trips. Road
safety continues to be a major issue with several safety
black spots identified throughout the corridor.
Key changes from the current plan
The current Western Corridor Plan was adopted in April
2006. This is a scheduled review. Since its adoption,
there have been a number of changes to the context
within which we are planning.
Primarily:
Completed and committed work on the Kapiti and
Johnsonville rail lines
Introduction of the Wellington Road of National
Significance (RoNS) as a priority for investment
The draft Western Corridor Plan 2012 responds to
these changes by incorporating the Regional Rail
Package and the RoNS. It also outlines several
projects and activities including investigating east-
west connections as well as local road and walking
and cycling improvements done in conjunction with
the RoNS.
Regional Transport Committee on 15 August 2012. The
Plan covers land transport services from Otaki in the
north, down through to Wellington City, including
east-west connections to the Hutt Valley.
The Plan
The Western Corridor Plan 2012 is consistent with the
strategic direction outlined in the Regional Land Transport
Strategy 2010-2040 and the Government Policy
Statement on land transport funding 2012/13-2021/22.
A background gap analysis report was developed to
identify any issues facing the Western Corridor that were
not covered by current planning documents. This report
concluded that there were a few information gaps, but no
significant planning gaps were found.
Pressures and issues
The Western Corridor is a primary commuter and freight
route into and out of the Wellington region, connecting
communities and commercial areas within the region and
beyond. It also provides vital strategic access to the
Wellington City CBD, Port and International Airport as
well as the Wellington Regional Hospital. Significant
residential and commercial developments in the Western
Corridor are signalled to occur and freight volumes are
predicted to double over the coming decades. SH1
experiences peak period congestion at several hotspots
including the Ngauranga Gorge, Paremata and south of
Pukerua Bay. Off-peak congestion is a particular issue
in Kapiti during weekends and on public holidays.
Frequencies of rail services are limited by the single-
tracked tunnels of the North-South Junction, and other
track and signalling issues. East-west connections are
another significant issue within the corridor, with capacity
investigations of SH58 packaged with feasibility study of
a new link road between Petone and Grenada. While
various sections of the cycling network have undergone
piecemeal investment, there is currently no continuous,
safe cycling route through the Western Corridor. This
limits growth of this mode for longer distance trips. Road
safety continues to be a major issue with several safety
black spots identified throughout the corridor.
Key changes from the current plan
The current Western Corridor Plan was adopted in April
2006. This is a scheduled review. Since its adoption,
there have been a number of changes to the context
within which we are planning.
Primarily:
Completed and committed work on the Kapiti and
Johnsonville rail lines
Introduction of the Wellington Road of National
Significance (RoNS) as a priority for investment
The draft Western Corridor Plan 2012 responds to
these changes by incorporating the Regional Rail
Package and the RoNS. It also outlines several
projects and activities including investigating east-
west connections as well as local road and walking
and cycling improvements done in conjunction with
the RoNS.