A fire has closed State Highway 1, Main South Road, south-west of Christchurch this afternoon as a hot norwest wind blows smoke around the area reducing visibility.

Drivers are asked to avoid the Templeton area and take a different route. Emergency Services and road crews are providing directions.

• At this stage it is not known how long it will take before the highway is reopened. Check this link for updates: http://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/243059

Detour routes:
• Northbound traffic use Trents Road, left onto Blakes, left onto Shands, Marshs Road then SH1.
• Southbound drivers use Marshs Road, right onto Shands Road, right onto Trents Road, then SH1.

“These routes will be much busier than normal so please take care, slow down and anticipate a much slower than usual journey,” says Lee Wright, Transport Agency Journey Manager.

Waterloo Road (which runs alongside the state highway) has been closed between Barters Road and Kirk Road.

• http://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/243059

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey this summer. Keep up to date with:
• Traffic updates: nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAsouthisland
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

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