State highway to close on Sunday for roadside clean up

State Highway 2 will be closed between Waipawa and Waipukurau on Sunday, September 18, from 8.30am to 2.30pm to allow a roadside clean up led by Central Hawke’s Bay District Council as part of Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean Up Week.

Waka Kotahi will be undertaking some road repairs as well, during the closure.

Registered runners of the Hatuma

Half Marathon, taking place on September 18 in Waipukurau, have been informed via email of the road closure by the event organisers.

Drivers will be detoured via Lindsay Rd and Onga Onga Rd in both directions during this time.

The detour will add approximately 15 minutes to the journey from Waipawa to Waipukurau and the route is suitable for all vehicles.

Residents along the stretch of highway affected by the closure have been contacted via a letterbox drop, asking that they limit trips during the closure, and that they may need to be escorted through the closed area “at a slower speed” should they need to come or go. Contact numbers have been supplied should residents need an escort vehicle on the day.

Any residents who have not been contacted can phone the CHB District Council on (06) 857 8060 for further details.

People are advised to plan ahead, allow additional time for their journeys and take extra care on the detour route.

If you are over 12 years old, you can get involved in the cleanup from 9am to 11am.

Helpers will travel by bus from

Russell Park in Waipukurau on the day — registration is essential to secure a place on the bus — there will be no alternative access to the site for the public other than the bus. Go to chbdc.govt.nz and search waste free events to register.

When the hard work is done the cleanup crew will be treated to a barbecue at Russell Park, Waipukurau.