Work underway on Kaikoura slip

Photo / New Zealand Transport Agency

SH1 north of Christchurch remains closed following a major slip near Kaikoura on Friday night.

Long diversions remain in place for heavy vehicles as the country's main artery remains closed following the major slip at Peketa, 8km south of Kaikoura.

Crews worked overnight on the site last night for the first time, as the site was previously deemed to dangerous to work on at night. Two specialists abseiled along the slip over the weekend, removing loose debris to make the site safe for contractors.

The New Zealand Transport Agency hoped to have one lane opened for traffic by Thursday at the earliest.

NZTA Canterbury state highways operations manager Peter Connors said the slip was about 100 metres long and contained about 15,000 cubic metres of rock.

The slip has further added to the chaos in quake-hit Canterbury, as aid supplies heading south have had to be diverted along SH63 via the Wairau Valley and SH7 via the Lewis Pass.

Light traffic, which includes cars, light trucks and buses, is able to use Inland Kaikoura Rd, which will add an extra 90 minutes to the journey.

Heavy rainfall, not the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks in Canterbury, is being blamed for the slip.

KiwiRail has been forced to move freight by road as the slip has blocked the Main North Line which runs along the Kaikoura coastline. The TranzCoastal passenger service between Picton and Christchurch has also been suspended.