As crews continue to work across the region following the June-July weather event, there is some good news for Northbank Road residents today with the road now open overnight under stop/go traffic light management from 4pm today.

“Marlborough Roads’ crews have continued to work at multiple sites on Northbank Road and its side roads to regain access. The crew at the slip, 2km from the start of the road have made some great progress this week,” Marlborough Roads System Manager Wayne Oldfield said.

“They have managed to establish a catch bench at the base of the slip to collect any uncontrolled rockfalls. This means that we can now open the road overnight under stop/go traffic light management so from 4pm the road will be opened under traffic lights for the weekend.”

The slip will be inspected throughout the day and if deemed unsafe the road will be closed and an update sent via Council's Facebook Page and Antenno.

Mr Oldfield said the slip was complex and had contained around 25,000 tonnes of rock, was around 40m in height and 60m in length.

“At this stage, we are unable to have a lunchtime opening every day due to the additional time this would add for the overall timeline of works. We want to get as much clearance works completed on the slip as we can while the weather is more stable.

“The openings will continue to be reviewed and if there is an opportunity to increase them safely, this will be done,” Mr Oldfield said.

From Monday to Friday the slip will continue to be open overnight and then closed from 9am to 4pm daily. Following requests from the community, there will be an additional opening on Wednesdays from 12pm to 1pm, starting this coming Wednesday 23 July.

Mr Oldfield said when people were travelling near or past work sites across the region, they should ensure they keep outside any fences or barriers for their safety and adhere to, and do not move, any traffic or safety management in place.

Marlborough Roads’ crews have also been working to clear a second major slip 17km from the start of the Northbank Road this week. This section of the road is now open to one lane and will remain under stop/go traffic light management.

“Work continues on Noel’s Bridge, further down Northbank Road, to regain access. The bridge will be accessible to residents for essential travel including heavy vehicles from 4pm this afternoon.

“Next week, there will be rock protection work at both Top Valley Bridge and Noel’s Bridge, along with other work sites so people should expect multiple delays,” Mr Oldfield said.

Flyers have been distributed to the Northbank and Onamalutu community with Council’s Facebook page, website, road Alerts and Antenno messages regularly updated.

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