Media advisory: 1.30pm 12 June

Good afternoon,

Council business is currently running as usual. Given the improved weather reports now received, this is unlikely to change.

The latest weather warning has advised that another 10-15cm of snow is expected today to near sea-level north of Ashburton. It is expected to clear by late afternoon. Some schools in Christchurch and Akaroa are now in the process of closing.

The Council is encouraging people to take extreme care on all roads, both tonight and tomorrow morning when it is expected to be icy on the roads - any help in communicating this would be much appreciated.

Christchurch Roads:

The bottom half of Dyers Pass Road (up to Hackthorne Road) has again closed. All of Summit Road is now closed.

The intersection at Wigram Road and Hayton Roads is in flooding - it will probably be closed all day. Detours are available in the area.

It is expected that there may be some flooding in the Heathcote River area tonight, with high tide expected about 6pm.

The Old West Coast Road is open, but there is snow ploughing occurring - any help in telling people not to pass snow clearing equipment is appreciated.

Some flooding is now also being experienced on Langdons and Sales Roads.

Banks Peninsula (conditions are deteriorating):

Snow clearing operations are now underway at the top of the Purau - Port Levy Road, they are now also starting on the Akaroa Summit Road from both the Long Bay Road and SH75 ends. Snow ploughing operations will continue during the afternoon, however if any roads are doubtful at the end of the day they will be closed overnight.

There are also several areas of localised flooding on SH75 between Tai Tapu and Kaituna Valley.

Contractors are currently clearing snow and laying grit on Long Bay Road.

Extreme care is advised on all roads as visibility is reduced and surface conditions deteriorate.

ChCh Metro Bus situation:

10 Cashmere: Service now operating, subject to snow conditions.
11 Westmorland: Only running to bottom of the hill.
67 Dyers Pass Road: Terminating at Thorrington shops.
81 Lincoln: Service is operating, subject to snow conditions.
520 Hornby-Burnham: Not operating.
521 Hornby-Templeton: Now operating but only to township as buses can't
turn at Madison's Road.
R Rangiora: Not operating - terminating at Belfast.

All other bus services are currently running as normal.

Event and Council Park cancellations:

The Groynes is closed today and the New Brighton Walk'n'Talk has been cancelled.
I will send further information as it comes to hand.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

New Court Orders, Screening, Guardianship Changes...: Government Ignoring Poverty, Again

It remains to be seen if announcements today will better protect children, but the National Government is forgoing an opportunity to really help kids by ignoring the elephant in the room, which is poverty, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei says.

"All the experts have told the Government that very low income is associated with higher rates of child maltreatment and neglect -- something which was totally ignored in the Government's Children's Action Plan and the announcements today," Mrs Turei said. More>>