Crashes at Huntly and Papakura block motorway traffic

Crashes near Huntly and Papakura caused disruption in heavy holiday traffic on State Highway 1. Photo / File

Crashes in Huntly and Papakura are causing delays on a day when heavy holiday traffic flows are expected to cause widespread traffic congestion.

NZ Transport Agency tweeted just before 2pm that a crash in Huntly has blocked State Highway 1 in both directions, with emergency services now on site.

UPDATE: Emergency services are now on site for this #crash. Traffic remains heavy through Huntly and there are now also delays further south through Taupiri. #AllowExtraTime ^EL
https://t.co/oYmKMJBTZd

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) January 3, 2018

Another crash under the Beach Rd overbridge blocked the northbound lane under the bridge just before 12.30pm, causing heavy congestion back to Ramarama.

SH1 SOUTHERN MWAY, NORTHBOUND - PAPAKURA - CRASH - 1:10PM

A #crash is blocking the northbound lane under the Beach Road over-bridge. Please expect heavy congestion from Ramarama to Papakura. ^EL pic.twitter.com/bTVzTHye8E

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) January 3, 2018

A Police spokeswoman said three vehicles were involved in the nose-to-tail accident just before 12.30pm, "slightly blocking" the northbound fast lane. No one was injured.

The Transport Agency warned earlier today that heavy traffic was expected on roads between Auckland and Northland between 10.30am and 5pm northbound and between 11am and 9pm southbound.