Intense campaigning from groups in support of either line led to the government's decision to build two branches, one from Rangiora to Oxford and another from Kaiapoi to West Eyreton.

However, concerns that the line would not be profitable were fulfilled by low traffic volumes even before the era of widespread competition from the road.

[5] Nonetheless, the Railways Department kept operating the line, though on 9 February 1931 the link with Bennetts Junction on the Oxford Branch was closed.

This in itself contributed to declining freight quantities, as wagons delivered on a Thursday would not be collected until the next week, an undesirably long delay for most businesses.

By April 1965, low traffic and deferred maintenance meant led to the closure of the remaining portion of the line from Wetheral back to Kaiapoi.

Remnants of closed railways diminish and disappear over time due to natural and human activity, and little of note remains of the Eyreton Branch.

Loading banks can be found at the former stations of: A couple of bridge abutments and culverts survive, including near West Etyeton School where they have been repurposed as part of a new walking track.