More than six months after heavy rain damaged roads across Marlborough, public access has been reinstated on some roads, while others remain unsafe for public access.
Some Marlborough spots are still difficult to reach, as not all roads are fully reopened following major damage from a July storm. (File photo). Photo:
A further section of Kenepuru Road will have public access reinstated this week, but the Awatere Valley Road will remain under controlled access for Christmas after a further slip during Cyclone Ruby last week further undermined the road.
After safety assessments, Marlborough District Council said 15.6km of Kenepuru Road from Moetapu Bay Road will be open for public access from 21 December.
It means the public can now travel from Linkwater to just past Onahau Road to access Double Bay, Ohingaroa Bay, Ohinetaha Bay, Broughton Bay, Te Mahia Bay, and Mistletoe and Onahau bays ahead of Christmas.
A guardhouse will be stationed at 2071 Kenepuru Road, marking the end of the public access with staff checking identification and passes for controlled access beyond that point.
Marlborough Roads manager Steve Murrin said the road network remained fragile and had been reassessed after Cyclone Ruby brought further heavy rain to the region last week.
"Overall, we are really pleased with the work the recovery team have achieved on this section to date. It has moved forward faster than expected, and held up well from last week's heavy rain."
Awatere Valley Road. Photo: Marlborough District Council
Keeping the road open was weather dependent and could change if there is more heavy rain.
The Marlborough District Council are providing a free shuttle service by road from Linkwater through to Sandy Bay for the public from 22 December until the end of January.
The service will be run by Marlborough Tour Company and depart from Queen Charlotte Tavern at Linkwater three times a week.
Awatere Valley Road will not be open for public access at Christmas, after heavy rain from Cyclone Ruby re-activated a slip at the Limestone Bridge last week.
Murrin said a geotechnical assessment showed it was not safe to open the road to the public over Christmas, as planned.
"We understand this will be disappointing for many people, but we have to put safety first."
Residents will still have controlled access, but the road will remain closed to the public until further notice.