Sturges Road Station rail level crossing
We’re planning to replace western rail level crossings with safer connections.
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Project details
Start date
March 2026End date
TBCLocation
HendersonTransport involved
Walking, driving and cyclingOverview
To find safer, smoother ways to keep you moving as the city grows and more trains are needed, we’re planning for the future of the Sturges Road Station rail crossing.
It is part of the Western Rail Crossings Programme, to allow more frequent trains while keeping traffic moving, improving safety and supporting urban development.
The pedestrian crossing at Sturges Road Station is an important link for people walking and cycling, providing easy access between platforms and from nearby neighbourhoods.
Latest updates
From March 2026, we engaged with our partners, stakeholders, businesses and local communities. We shared information about the Rail Level Crossings Programme and heard initial feedback. Groups we talked to included:
- local government representatives, like local boards and councillors
- mana whenua representatives
- transport advocacy organisations
- community stakeholders, like schools and business associations
- residents and commuters, who regularly use rail crossings.
What we've heard from the community
We received 79 survey responses for Sturges Road. We heard that:
- there was support for an active mode bridge to replace this level crossing connection
- this is a key pedestrian crossing with high use, especially by students and regular commuters
- the Park and Ride is heavily used, meaning safe and accessible connections are important for people moving between parking, the station and surrounding streets
- the crossing generally works but is under pressure
- there are frequent closures and wait times due to train activity.
- locals have safety concerns linked to behaviour and design
- there are personal safety concerns raised by some users (fights/ violence).
We know from HOP card data that:
- Sturges Road Station has one of the highest peak-period station activity levels of the Western Line stations analysed, reinforcing the importance of reliable pedestrian access to the station
- around 38% of station users are children, secondary or tertiary students, highlighting the importance of safe, direct and well-connected walking access for everyday school and education travel.
The crossing is closely connected to the station layout and Park and Ride, so any changes would affect how people move between platforms and access the station.
While alternative access is available from Sturges Road, it involves longer walking distances, which may reduce convenience for some users.
Significant changes, such a bridge or underpass, would likely require additional land to accommodate ramps or bridges that meet accessibility requirements.
Timeline
Investment case
During the next two years, we’ll identify the preferred approach to replace western rail level crossings with safer connections, and how to prioritise when they’re built. This is key to developing an investment case to seek funding for future phases.
This stage includes:
- Technical assessments: such as traffic and pedestrian counts, safety audits, ground investigations, environmental and flood analysis, and urban design studies. We’ll consider past trends, current conditions and future needs.
- Community input: we’ll engage mana whenua, local boards, elected members, schools, businesses and communities to understand how crossings are used today and what’s needed for the future.
We’ll share what we find to support discussions about potential options, including key constraints and trade-offs. Community feedback will help shape the preferred approach for each crossing.
Statutory approvals
After an approved investment case, the next step will be to seek funding for statutory approvals. These are needed to consent or protect the land required for a future crossing.
Protecting land now means that projects can be constructed in stages as funding is available.
It also provides property owners, businesses and the community with certainty on where transport routes will be in the future. This can help people make informed decisions about their own land and the development of that land.
During this phase, we will:
- Engage one-to-one with directly affected landowners.
- Continue working with elected members, mana whenua and stakeholders.
Detailed design and construction
Designs will continue to be refined through targeted engagement in this phase.
Construction will be staged according to network needs. While we expect to start replacing some rail crossings in the Inner West from early to mid-2030s, timeframes are dependent on funding.
During this phase, we will:
- Engage one-to-one with directly affected landowners.
- Continue working with elected members, mana whenua, and key stakeholders.
- Communicate clearly with communities about construction timing, disruption, and how we'll manage the impacts of construction.
Community feedback
Project background
The next 20 to 30 years will see more people living, working and studying close to the rail corridor, especially train stations. That means more people taking trains, walking and cycling to stations and more activity around the rail corridor.
Replacing rail crossings with safer connections is key to unlocking the full City Rail Link benefits of allowing even more trains to run in the future while making it safer and easier to get around your local area. It also supports urban development.
If we don’t replace level crossings people may take more risks as barrier arms are down more often and there will be increased congestion, impacting the economy.