28 Dec 2017

Wellington trolley bus wires to come down in new year

11:50 am on 28 December 2017

Disused trolley bus wires in Wellington will start coming down next week.

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Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

Use of the wires was discontinued when the trolley buses were phased out at the end of October.

Transport authorities blamed high costs and an antiquated electricity network for the decision to axe the service, which angered environmentalists.

Actual removal of the wires was always set for the holiday period and will now begin next Wednesday.

Two crews will start the job, one coming from the junction of Elizabeth Street and Kent and Cambridge Terrace, and the other from the Railway Station terminal at the northern end of Lambton Quay.

They will meet in the middle of the CBD.

The work will be done overnight, from Sunday to Thursday between the hours of 7pm-5am.

There will be no removal work on Friday and Saturday evenings to allow for busy times - particularly in Courtenay Place.

It is planned to be finished by 25 January.

Traffic disruptions are expected and there may be diversions in place.