New Zealand / Environment

Napier cordon removal pushed back due to challenges keeping road clear

13:38 pm on 29 March 2023

The route into the industrial zone is still closed. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton

Napier City Council says a hard cordon around part of Napier will not be lifted today as planned.

The Awatoto industrial area was cordoned off three weeks ago due to high levels of contamination in silt and water following Cyclone Gabrielle.

The council said due to some challenges with keeping the road clean and clear through the Awatoto Industrial Zone, it was revising their plans.

The cordon will remain in place until Monday, 3 April with some modifications.

Tonight, the cordons at the northern end will move to be a single cordon at the corner of Waitangi Road and Awatoto Road, allowing vehicles ease of access through Awatoto Road.

The vehicle wash at the southern end of Waitangi Road will also cease today, with further road cleaning expected to take place over the next few days.

The council said from Monday a road closure would be put in to the west of the road entrance to BioRich.

The controlled cordon at the northern end would them be softened to a road barrier.

The road barriers would be manned during daylight hours and security guards would be on site through the night.

Traffic would also be permitted to move in both directions on Waitangi Road from Monday.