Trespasser forces Hutt Valley train lines closure during morning commute

A trespasser on Hutt Valley train lines has triggered a “morning of chaos” for Wellington commuters.

“Please don’t be a dick and trespass on the train lines,” said Upper Hutt councillor Ros Connelly.

All trains that were on the tracks during the incident this morning had to be held, including Hutt Valley services from both directions.

The Wairarapa Line is running behind due to the trespasser, the Metlink website said.

“From what I understand there was a trespasser on the Ava Bridge, so that has kind of set off a bit of a morning of chaos,” Connelly said.

The Ava Bridge sits along the Hutt Valley train line.

Buses are replacing the trains while Metlink works to get services back on track.

Metlink said a separate “operational error” was contributing to delays.

Connelly was unsure when the Hutt Valley line would reopen.

The councillor apologised to the community, saying she particularly felt for people while fuel prices were high and the council was encouraging public transport use.

The incident has prompted ire on social media, with one Facebook user saying the trespasser had “managed to cripple the morning service during a fuel crisis”.

Police said they were called about 7.10am with a report a person could be seen on the Ava Railway Bridge.

“Police responded, however no one was located.”

Sammy Carter is a journalist for the New Zealand Herald covering news in the Wellington region. She has previously worked at the Rotorua Daily Post.