Police warn of travel disruption

Traffic has been slow and heavy on motorways around the city leading to delays in many areas. Photo / Getty Images

Police are warning of traffic disruption after a man fell from the Hopetoun Bridge onto the Nelson St southern motorway off-ramp in central Auckland this afternoon.

The man died and the off-ramp is cordoned off until further notice, police said.

Delays are expected.

Police earlier warned motorists to be extra careful on the roads as a combination of wet weather and holiday traffic resulted in a number of breakdowns and crashes around Auckland.

Traffic has been slow and heavy on motorways around the city leading to delays in many areas, Inspector Ian Brooker said.

"There have been a number of minor accidents and breakdowns across Auckland since early morning and it is very busy everywhere out there," he said.

"We have been clearing these up as quickly as we can and getting traffic back moving as soon as possible. The poor weather may have led some people delaying leaving the city for the holiday weekend and rain isn't helping road conditions.

We would advise motorists to take care and drive to the conditions."

Traffic has been particularly heavy in and around Ellerslie and Greenlane all day as people flock to the Armageddon entertainment expo at the ASB Showgrounds.