13 August 2012

Take care on city roads

Christchurch City Council staff and contractors continue to monitor surface flooding issues across the city and are taking steps to address the worst-affected areas.

Motorists are advised to take extreme care when driving on city roads. There have been cases where the bow wave from vehicles driving through flooded areas has placed houses at risk of flooding.

Council’s Transport and Greenspace Unit Manager Alan Beuzenberg says it is very important that motorists follow road closure signage and drive slowly through flooded roads.

“As well as the issues of bow-waves caused by vehicles, we are also concerned about the condition of the road under the water. Drivers won’t be able to see any potholes, and hollows in the road caused by the earthquakes that may have become larger as a result of flooding.”

Around 50 Council staff and contractors are currently out and about across the city, monitoring the worst-affected areas and taking steps to address surface flooding including: closing roads, sand-bagging and clearing blockages in the stormwater system.

High tide is due around 2pm today, and this is expected to increase surface flooding levels in those areas that are usually affected in high tides during heavy rainfall.

The Heathcote River has burst its banks in the usual spots along the lower reaches and road closures are in place on: Richardson Terrace, Clarendon Terrace, Aynsley Terrace and Eastern Terrace. Road closures are also in place around the lower reaches of the Avon River along sections of New Brighton Road. Staff continue to monitor worst-affected areas of the city and road closures are being put in place as necessary.

Dudley Creek and St Albans Creek are now running at capacity and surface flooding is affecting these areas.

Banks Peninsula roads have been badly affected by the rain and motorists are advised to take extreme caution when driving. Streams have burst their banks at Akaroa and Duvauchelle. Roads closed are: Purau to Port Levy Road, Akaroa Summit Road – Pigeon Bay to Little Akaloa and Okains Bay Road – Duvauchelle to Okains Bay.

Mr Beuzenberg says the main issue remains surface flooding, and it is not expected that high tide this afternoon will see houses at risk. However, staff continue to monitor these areas and are taking steps to address the situation as necessary.

Ongoing updates will be provided throughout the day.

ENDS

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