Slip closes road into Kawakawa Bay

Continued movement of a major slip has closed the main road into Kawakawa Bay.

The closure of Kawakawa – Clevedon Road just north of Kawakawa Bay means approximately 1500 people living in the area will need to use a longer alternative route. People driving to and from the Kawakawa Bay and Orere Point area should go via Kaiaua and use State Highway One and Two.

The slip, which began at the beginning of the month and partially closed the road, has been caused by heavy rain over a long period.

Manukau City Council Economic Director Rick Walden says heavy rain this weekend has caused further debris to come down onto the road.

“It is now necessary to close the road to make sure there are no risks to public safety. The council will monitor the slip and review the road closure on Monday.

“We realise that closing the road will be a major inconvenience for people living in the area and others who regularly use it. However we can’t take the risk that more land will slip down onto the road.

“If there is more heavy rain there is a possibility of an even larger slip.

Owners of the property at the top of slip have moved out as a precaution. They have geotechnical experts monitoring the affect of the slip on the property.

People driving to the Kawakawa Bay and Orere Point area should use the following alternative routes:

State Highway 1 - State Highway 2 – East Coast Road via Kaiaua. From Clevedon: Monument Rd -Sky High Rd - Hunua Rd - Paparimu Rd. See attached detour routes.

Electronic message signs with updates and detour signs are up along roads in the area. There will be regular updates through the council call centre (phone 262 5104) and at www.manukau.govt.nz