Paint spill halts highway traffic

The clean-up of a major paint spill on the Hauraki Plains will continue today, when State Highway 27 will be closed again from 5.30am to 9am.

The road was closed to motorists all day yesterday after a truck carrying 10-litre buckets of paint and methylated spirits rolled about 2.30am.

The driver was uninjured in the accident, which happened near Kaihere, south of Ngatea.

His north-bound truck first hit a power pole, cutting power to the surrounding area.

Traffic was diverted through Paeroa following the accident. At 6pm, motorists were allowed to use the road again, until today's restart of the clean-up.

Environment Waikato resource officer Richard Duirs said trucks with suction pumps helped clean up most of the paint and a digger was called in to dig over a dry drain into which some had spilled.

Mr Duirs said the nearest stream was 100m away and there was only a minor threat to the environment.

Although the diversions were an inconvenience for motorists there were no reported delays.

Police, Fire Service and Environment Waikato staff attended the scene.