Source: Radio New Zealand
One of the slips that blocked SH2 through the Waioweka Gorge following torrential rain. Supplied
Traffic’s on the move again though the Waioweka Gorge – slowly – via a single lane and with a guide vehicle.
The chunk of State Highway two between Ōpōtiki and Mātāwai has been closed for more than two weeks, with 40 worksites along the road including eight spots with severe damage due to slips and flooding.
From Monday, a convoy is operating three times a day in both directions; that is Gisborne bound and Ōpōtiki bound.
Pilot vehicles are leading the way and controlling the speed.
NZTA’s warning its only for people who need to travel and the highway could close at short notice if conditions change.
Waioweka Gorge resident, farmer Anne Redpath hasn’t been unable to go far with the road largely off limits.
She told Checkpoint the convoy was good news.
“It means it’s quite safe and we are not going to interfere with any work that’s being done.”
She has been travelling by tractor, foot and her push bike.
“I have to push [the push bike] through the mud,” she said.
Redpath has not had a car for two weeks due to damage to road access, alongside many others.
She has lived on the farm for 40 years and said she just accepted the slip and flood damage as part of life.
“That’s all about you can do and in this situation, no building were damaged, no people were hurt, just farm roads and tracks and fences and that sort of thing.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
