Heavy rain and high tides have caused widespread disruption across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, with multiple road closures and delays to council services.

A Christchurch City Council spokesperson said contractors had been working proactively to manage the impacts of the weather.

“Our teams have been clearing gutters, stormwater grates, beach outfalls and checking the stormwater network ahead of the rain. We’re also managing water levels in the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River to reduce peak flooding by maximising the use of the storage basins,” the spokesperson said.

“Residents along the upper and mid-reaches of the river may notice water level fluctuations before, during and after the rainfall event—even when it’s not raining.”

In Banks Peninsula, the following roads are currently closed:

• SH75 from Tai Tapu to Akaroa

• Gebbies Pass Road from SH75 to Charteris Bay Road

• Kinloch Road from Okuiti Valley Road to Bossu Road

• Reynolds Valley Road from Okuiti Valley Road to Bossy Road

• Governors Bay Teddington Road from Gebbies Pass Road to Bamfords Road

• Bossy Road from #220 to Lands End Road

• Port Levy Pigeon Bay Road from Pa Road to Little Pigeon Road

• Stony Bay Road from the first cattle stop

  

  Heathcote River / Andy Smyth

In Christchurch’s northern suburbs, the following roads are also closed:

• Fitzgerald Avenue between Kilmore Street and Cambridge Terrace

• Cambridge Terrace from Barbadoes Street to Churchill Street

• New Brighton Road between Rawson Street and Pages Road

• Avonside Drive between Wainoni Road and Kerrs Road

• Avonside Drive/Swanns Road between Retreat Road and Woodham Road

• Empire Road from Main North Road

• River Road

• Gardiners Road at #278

• 

  Photo: Christchurch flooding / CCC

The Council said it’s also responding to service disruptions, including kerbside collections. “Lyttelton’s organics kerbside collection is impacted today due to the weather,” the spokesperson said.

The stormwater system is designed to cope with heavy rain, the Council added, and some road flooding is expected. “In most parts of the city our roads have been designed as secondary flow paths for stormwater, so in heavy rain it’s normal to see some flooding.”

Council staff and contractors remain on standby to respond to any further issues.

 

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