A car has smashed into a traffic light pole on a busy Christchurch road this afternoon.

A police spokesperson said they were called to Blenheim Road near Matipo Street at 1.30PM.

“The vehicle struck the traffic light pole and brought it down.”

Traffic control is in place and the Christchurch City Council has been notified the spokesperson said.

A St John Ambulance spokesman said they responded with one ambulance.

A patient was assessed and treated at the scene but didn’t require hospital treatment.

Blenheim Road was blocked off in both lanes for a short time.