Heavy rain overnight has caused two slips to close the Lower Buller Gorge this morning, from Inangahua to Westport. There is no detour.
The NZ Transport Agency’s contractors are on site working to remove the debris that have come down onto State Highway 6 and re-open the highway to single-lane traffic this afternoon.
The Transport Agency’s Journey Manager Lee Wright says these are large slips containing trees, rocks and mud, near Summit Creek.
“There is one car on the highway located between the two slips. Our contractors have been in contact with the vehicle occupants, who are safe, and they remain in communication with them.
“We are working as quickly as possible to remove the debris to get to the vehicle out.”
Ms Wright says there is extensive surface flooding in the Buller and Greymouth areas and motorists are asked to either avoid travel in the area or take extreme care on the roads today.
For the latest information on what is happening on the state highways: phone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS or visit the website: www.highwayinfo.govt.nz(external link)
For more information please contact:
Jan McCarthy
Media Manager - Christchurch
T: 03 964 2885
M: 021 427 442
E: jan.mccarthy@nzta.govt.nz
