Tossing what were the Davis Crescent stairs onto a truck
These were once the Davis Crescent stairs to the Newmarket West train station.
Yesterday afternoon they were taken off piece by piece and piled onto a truck.
Now the demolition of the actual Newmarket West Kingdon St train platforms goes into full speed this morning.
The debate about Kingdon continues this morning.
A dismayed ARC chairman Mike Lee, who had made a last minute plea for talks on the issue, called it “stupidity” and said: “As the saying goes ‘worse than a crime – a mistake.’”
And Campaign for Better Transport spokesman, Jon Reeves, told of the news, said: “And that was that. And in a few years time ATA (ex ARTA) will suggest a station for direct west services…..”
The debate is now over in that, by the end of today or lunchtime tomorrow, Kingdon St will be no more.
How Kingdon St looks early this morning
The demolition trucks arrived after lunch yesterday, after finishing the demolition of the southern line temporary platform at Remuera Rd.
Preparing for the demolition of the platforms this morning
They removed the stairs to the platform and made preparation for today’s breaking up of the platforms.
Those who advocated the removal of Kingdon St said it was not needed with the new Newmarket station and there was no need for stations so close to each other.
Related posts:
- Revealed: Newmarket Kingdon St Train Station To Be Demolished Monday (Photos) Demolition of Newmarket West, the temporary station at Kingdon St,...
- Forbidden Kingdon: Station To Be Demolished On Thursday night, the last train to ever use the...
- Kingdon St Train Station Demolition Squad Arrive – Photos The demolition squad arrived at Kingdon St's Newmarket West train...
- Arm Wrestle over Kingdon Back in September, I blogged that discussions were taking place...
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6 Responses to “Kingdon Train Platforms Get Demolished Today – Latest Photos”
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND
“A dismayed ARC chairman Mike Lee, who had made a last minute plea for talks on the issue, called it “stupidity” and said: “As the saying goes ‘worse than a crime – a mistake.’””
What seems really stpid is that the ARC has no say in what ARTA are doing, even though ARTA is supposed to be working for the ARC. Kiwirail has to takes its cue from ARTA, that is who its contracts are with. But ARTA dose not have to do what the ARC wants? Strange set up.
I think that is because ARTA are meant to be independant looking at the best needs for Auckland. If it was up to the council there would be a million and one hairbrained schemes just so the members can get re-elected.
My big questions is what are they going to do to Kingdon st after the station is gone, will it be opened up to traffic again with a level crossing or will it remain closed?
Retaining the Kingdon St station was an excellent idea, so for that reason alone they had to get rid of it.
Whatever the merits of having a station there, the existing platforms were specifically designed to be temporary and not built to last. They would have to be destroyed anyway to buld permanent ones.
@Charles: Indeed!
This side of Newmarket would be well served by a northern exit (planned, but not built) to the new Newmarket Station, and it will also be served by the new Grafton Station.
I don’t see the need for Newmarket West once the northern concourse is built (exiting at the current bridge next to Burger King) and integrated ticketing arrives (Grafton exits onto the Central Connector busway, which then passes the end of Kingdon St).
I do wish they built a temporary northern exit to the new Newmarket stn tho.