Picketers set to protest North Auckland rail line closure

Photo / Brett Phibbs

A group of people opposed to mothballing the North Auckland rail line are expected to form a picket line outside tomorrow's Whangarei District Council meeting.

More than 3,000 people have signed a petition calling for the line to stay open.

Council chief executive Mark Simpson is to table a report tomorrow in which he supports any decision to mothball the line, at least while other economic factors are looked at.

He says things like rationalising port facilities at Whangarei, Auckland and Tauranga should be considered as well.

But rail supporters say investing in rail will promote a more efficient way of transporting goods than roads.

- Newstalk ZB