Call for long-term roading solution after slip closes SH2 near Ōpōtiki

NZTA advised yesterday the highway could be closed at this location for a few days yet - disrupting truck traffic in and out of the Gisborne region, with heavy vehicles having to go the long way around via Hawke's Bay.

The large slip that has closed State Highway 2 north of Ōpōtiki is another in a series of roading issues that have not been properly addressed, LeaderBrand general manager Rickard Burke says.

The Gisborne-based company has been forced into “finding ways” to get its product to its northern markets following the slip, which came down sometime early Monday morning on a section of highway at Waiotahe Beach between Waiotahi Valley Back Rd and Paerata Ridge Rd.

The highway remained closed yesterday. A detour was in place for light vehicles, but heavy vehicles - such as those which carry LeaderBrand’s fresh produce from Gisborne - had to go the long way north, via Hawke’s Bay.

“This situation near Ōpōtiki is another in a series of road issues we have had since Cyclone Gabrielle,” Burke said. “They are issues that have not been properly addressed and they were happening long before the cyclone.

“Gabrielle made things worse and exposed the road problems we have.

“The roading authorities have been fixing the problems as they arise, but they have not been finding solutions.

“We need to be united on the roading issues we face as a region and find long-term solutions.”

A New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) spokesman said pōhutukawa trees above the slip face were “very precarious” and had to be removed before any slip clearance could begin.

“In addition, the slip face was still moving on Monday, making it unsafe for any activities beyond the geotechnical risk assessment.

“Arborists began removing the dangerous trees yesterday [Tuesday] and contractors began clearing the earth and debris,” he said.

“This is a substantial slip and SH2 is likely to be closed at that location for a number of days.

“We will update the community and road users as soon as we have more information.”

State Highway 2 north of Ōpōtiki remains closed after a major slip early Monday morning. Work to clear the slip did not start until yesterday due to the threat posed by large pōhutukawa trees overhanging the slip site. A detour exists for light vehicles, but not heavy vehicles.

A detour has been put in place, but NZTA said it was not suitable for heavy vehicles.