Commuters in Wellington are facing long delays as a climate action protest brings traffic to a standstill on Monday morning.
Police warned there are long delays on State Highway 1 after protesters climbed a gantry near the Bolton Street overbridge.
The protesters are accompanied by a large banner reading: Restore Passenger Rail. The Restore Passenger Rail is a climate action group demanding the Government restore passenger rail to the extent it was in 2000 by reopening now freight only lines and introducing new lines.
It wants affordable and accessible services aligned with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Monday's protest is one of many aimed to highlight the need for a better train network, protest spokesperson James Cockle
Cockle said the decision to disrupt traffic was "not taken lightly, and indicates the urgency of the issue".
"We told the Government that we would begin civil resistance if they did not agree to restore passenger rail. Affordable and accessible passenger rail will help bring people together. It's the right thing to do in the middle of a climate emergency," Cockle said.
He said the protesters are peacefully occupying the gantry as part of "a series of disruptions to highlight the need for an affordable nationwide train network".
"The cost of living crisis is hitting some communities hard and we don't think anyone should be isolated from their friends or family just because they cannot afford a car or petrol," Cockle said.
The group is demanding the Government "restore the network of passenger rail around the country to what it was in the year 2000".
"We need the government to do the right thing, for people and for the climate. The tracks are already there. If they do not make the logical decision to restore passenger rail, we will continue to create disruptions," Cockle said.
The group wants to see several new rail lines introduced as well as freight-only lines changed to include passengers as well.
Video obtained by Newshub shows cars are backed up for hundreds of metres heading into the city.
Police said diversions are in place and people should expect delays.
