New Zealand / Environment

Another slip falls on main road to Stokes Valley

17:18 pm on 21 April 2023

A slip on Eastern Hutt Road, the main road to Stokes Valley. Photo: Supplied

Another major slip in Lower Hutt has hit the main road to Stokes Valley, which has been partly closed due to the ongoing risk since a landslide last winter.

The slip on Eastern Hutt Road on Thursday dumped dirt and rocks onto the closed southbound lane and blocked the driveway of one property.

Hutt City Council said staff were in touch with the homeowners whose driveway was currently inaccessible.

"Our engineers have visited the site and due to the land still moving have advised that a nearby pine tree and potentially others need to be removed.

"A long-reach digger will be required to bring more of the bank down to minimise the risk of further slips."

During this work a second southbound lane would need to be closed and Eastern Hutt Road will be down to one lane in each direction.

The previous landslide in July last year affected three cliff-top properties above the road, of which two were evacuated.

One has since been demolished, while another family was only been allowed to return home last month while work to stabilise the cliff-face continues.

Hutt City Council says further closures of Eastern Hutt Road are likely next week to remove a large pine tree following the slip.

A council spokesperson says contractors will contine to work to clear the slip over the weekend and they hope to reopen a lane on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the engineering design has been completed for the slips underneath two properties on Holborn Drive and the slip near the High Street / Eastern Hutt Road roundabout.

Subject to consent, the council hopes to start work on the remedial work next month.