Two protesters from the Restore Passenger Rail group have abseiled down the Hataitai side of the Mt Victoria Tunnel. Photo: RNZ / Kate Green
Wellington's Mt Victoria Tunnel has reopened just after 10am following a full closure caused by protesters.
At about 9am this morning, two protesters abseiled down the Hataitai side of the Mt Victoria Tunnel in Wellington and hung a sign saying 'Restore passenger rail'.
More than a dozen police were on-site and motorists were asked to avoid the area.
Fire crews arrived and assembled ladders on the side of the tunnel when the protesters made their way down from above the tunnel just after 10.30am.
Two people have been arrested following the protest.
The two abseilers, members of the group Restore Passenger Rail, have been charged with wilful trespass and criminal nuisance, and are being held in custody to appear in the Wellington District Court.
The road is now open, and traffic is flowing freely.
A police officer watches on as two protesters from the protest group lower a sign saying 'Restore passenger rail'. Photo: RNZ / Kate Green
One of the protesters told RNZ they planned to lower themselves and their sign down over the road until it is closed.
It follows a number of protests on Wellington motorways last week.
The tunnel is part of the central commuter route through the city.
