A fallen tree is blocking a major Auckland road, causing damage to a light pole and trapping vehicles.
Police were alerted to the incident in Manukau Rd in Royal Oak between the intersections with Symonds St and Lombardy Green about 11.25am today.
Police said no injuries had been reported, but the section of road was expected to be blocked for some time.
“Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible and to take another route.”
A reporter at the scene said police were waiting for Auckland Council employees to clear the tree.
In a statement, Auckland Council regional arborists and ecological manager David Stejskal said a council contractor is on site.
“The contractor, in coordination with NZ Police and an Auckland Transport contractor, is using large land clearing equipment to safely remove the tree,” he told the Herald.
“The team will remain on site until the area is fully cleared, with an initial estimate of full clearance by 5 or 6pm today.”
Images from the scene show damage to a light pole and vehicles trapped under the tree.
The Lombardy poplar is listed on Auckland Council’s Notable Trees Schedule.
A man who lives across from the tree and who wished to remain anonymous said he had been petitioning the council “for years” to get rid of the tree.
He said it regularly dropped big branches on people walking underneath it and swayed when it was windy.
He also said today “could’ve gone a lot worse”, given the elderly population of the street and the constant stream of mobility scooters up and down the road.
Another neighbour, who also wished to stay anonymous, said her elderly mother watched the tree fall.
“She said it didn’t even crack, it just fell with a big thud and a bang.”
She wrote to Auckland Council only last week to urge it to check the tree’s rotten roots, but it refused due to the fact the tree “wasn’t on council property”.
She said the neighbours referred to the tree as the “widow maker” and this was like their biggest fear coming true.
Meanwhile, all lanes on the Auckland Harbour Bridge have reopened following a two-hour lunchtime reduction due to high winds.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) earlier said two lanes were open in each direction due to severe wind gusts.
NZTA also warned motorcyclists and motorists in high-sided vehicles to delay their journeys across the bridge.
“Lanes will reopen ASAP, subject to gusts becoming less severe,” NZTA said.
At 1.25pm, NZTA said four lanes were operating in each direction.
“Please obey speed signs and maintain a safe following distance.”
Shortly after 1pm, northbound traffic prior to the Harbour Bridge had backed up over 7km. Meanwhile, southbound traffic had backed up almost 5km.
MetService’s forecast for Auckland says the fresh northeasterlies in the city should ease this afternoon.
OPINION: New Zealander reflects on delivering speech at St James' Palace.