The area of cordoned-off streets in central Wellington has been slightly expanded, following first-light visual inspections today.
Because of the risk of falling glass after the recent earthquakes, and strong winds overnight, Wellington City Council emergency management staff have announced:
- Featherston Street will be closed to all traffic and pedestrians – the exception is pedestrians accessing the Ibis Hotel.
- The footpath outside NEC House on Taranaki Street has been closed due to falling debris overnight.
- Part of Pipitea Street in Thorndon has been closed due to debris falling from a building.
- The corner of Lambton Quay and Brandon Street (Harbour City Centre) has been cordoned off because of the risk of falling glass. Motorists are asked to avoid the area to avoid delays.
Wellington City Council strongly urges people to remain outside cordons due to the dangers presented by falling debris. Police and Council workers will be onsite to let people know it’s not safe to walk inside those cordons.
While some employers might’ve given the OK for people to come back to work in buildings on Featherston Street, there are real concerns of loose debris falling on people if they walk inside the cordon.
Areas affected by the cordon are likely to change as inspections continue through the morning. Updated maps will be available on the Wellington City Council’s Facebook and Twitter account.
Commuter information
Meanwhile, commuter rail passenger services are returning to normal in the Wellington region today following yesterday’s large quakes.
Services on the Wellington network have been given clearance to return to normal. The following Wellington regional rail services will be running a normal Tuesday timetable:
- Johnsonville Line
- Kapiti Line
- Hutt Valley Line
- Melling Line
Services on the Wairarapa Line will be will be running a normal Tuesday timetable but may have a reduced number of seats.
The harbour ferries are not running due to damage to the Days Bay Wharf.
Bus diversions will be in place through central Wellington today as inspections continue on CBD buildings following the recent earthquakes and high winds overnight.
Most routes will be diverted onto the waterfront quays and on to Taranaki Street as a precaution against falling debris in forecast high winds until buildings along central city streets (Courtenay Place, Manners Street, Willis Street, Featherston Street and Lambton Quay) are checked.
Most buses travelling into the CBD will drive along Taranaki Street, Jervois Quay, Customhouse Quay and through to Whitmore Street and Wellington Railway Station.
Services out of the CBD will go from the Wellington Railway Station, along Whitmore Street, Waterloo Quay, Jervois Quay and Taranaki Street.
All stops in Manners Street, Lower Willis Street and Lambton Quay are closed. There are messages on the RTI screens. Temporary stops will in place at Tony's Tyre Service, Shed 11 and Frank Kitts Park on the quays.
Check Metlink for further details.
Make sure you check the Wellington Civil Defence Emergency Map for up-to-date information about this
emergency. This map provides you with critical emergency information specific to your suburb, for example, where there are power outages and road closures.
Other updates:
Tuesday rubbish collections will continue as normal in Wellington City.
Wellington Central Library remains closed, as does Miramar Library – where minor damage will be fixed in the next day or so.
Strong winds overnight have caused some incidences of glass breakage. The corner of Lambton Quay and Brandon Street (Harbour CityCentre) and the section of Pipitea Street facing Pipitea House have been
cordoned off because of the risk of falling glass. Building inspection and cleaning crews will attend when it is safe to do so after daybreak.
Further changes to cordoned-off areas are likely as buildings are checked, which may also affect bus-stops in the central city.
For further updates follow us on Facebook or Twitter or refer to Wellington Region Emergency Management (WREMO).