The Transport Agency has permanently reduced speed limits on the alternative road between Picton and Christchurch while it waits for State Highway 1 north of Kaikōura to reopen.
The inland route became the main way to get from Picton to Christchurch after November's Kaikōura earthquake. Photo: Google Earth
The volume of vehicles on the inland route, State Highway 63, has quadrupled since the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck in November, blocking part of the State Highway 1 coastal highway.
The agency said that for safety reasons, speed limits had been reduced by as much as 20 kilometres an hour along parts of state highways 7, 65, 6 and 63.
It said permanently changing the speed limits was necessary as temporary limits could only be in place for six months and the road north would not be fixed until the end of the year.
The speed limits would be reviewed again once State Highway 1 became fully operational.
Still time left to apply for recovery fund
Meanwhile, Kaikōura's quake-affected business and farmers are being reminded they have less than two weeks left to apply for money from the Earthquake Relief Fund.
The government initially made $4 million available for immediate assistance for businesses and farmers.
A new $5 million fund, announced last month, offers ongoing support for community projects, as well as help for individual land-owners.
Ministry for Primary Industries spokesperson, Justine Gilliland, said there had been considerable interest in the fund already, and successful applicants would be contacted next month.
Businesses that had not yet applied were told they should contact the ministry to discuss their options.
The deadline is 23 June.