Businesses disrupted by big snow
Businesses across the South Island are facing extended disruptions as more snowfalls close already fragile transport links.
The alternative highway north from Christchurch closed again yesterday evening when white-out conditions made it too treacherous. Arthur’s Pass and the inland Kaikoura road were also closed overnight, Cook Strait ferries were cancelled until tomorrow, and flights in and out of Christchurch were delayed.
The earthquake-damaged State Highway 1, near Kaikoura, and rail link north remain out of action following November’s quakes.
Supermarkets reported some delays in getting stock through yesterday but no major shortages yet. The snowy conditions are forecast to last until at least late today.
Antoinette Laird, of Foodstuffs, which owns New World, Pak ‘n Save and Four Square, said most trucks got through but they were keeping a close eye on the situation.
Countdown spokesman Keith Cowden-Brown said all their stores were open and staff were working hard to keep shelves stocked.
‘‘There have been some slightly delayed deliveries due to road closures and we appreciate our customers patience while we focus on getting groceries into our stores,’’ he said.
A spokesman from trucking and logistics firm Mainfreight said Cook Strait ferry cancellations had caused the most disruption. They also had to meet legal restrictions on drivers’ hours despite road delays. ‘‘With no ferries for 24 to 48 hours, it’s affecting us getting units back south or north, but we’re doing the best we can.’’
Rail was an alternative to closed roads south of Christchurch and in the North Island, but that was not the case north of Christchurch, he said.
‘‘All we can do is load the units and wait for a break in the weather. It’s just a waiting game.’’
Federated Farmers South Canterbury president Mark Adams said there was a ‘‘sigh of relief’’ when the snow was lighter than feared, but farmers were ‘‘not out of the woods’’.
With plenty of warning and few young animals yet, most farmers had coped well so far, he said. Most had plenty of supplementary feed.
‘‘We are all watching the forecast like a hawk. They are still forecasting a tail will come through and we know the tail can bring the most snow,’’ he said.
‘‘Farmers won’t be relaxing yet.’’
Dairy co-operative Fonterra’s spokesman, Charles Fergusson, said the snow had a limited impact on business.
Staff at its Darfield plant were told to stay home because of road conditions and tankers got to all but one farm producing winter milk, he said. ‘‘We can cope with a few days of something like this.’’
BP spokeswoman Leigh Taylor said they were managing to get fuel where it was needed but were ‘‘keeping a close eye on things’’.
‘‘We are all about the safety. We need to get supplies through but not at the expense of anybody’s safety,’’ she said.
Z Energy reported it had plenty of fuel on hand.
The Lewis Pass reopened for several hours yesterday after being closed on Tuesday night, but closed again yesterday evening. About 30 trucks parked along the road awaiting the reopening.
Some Fairfax newspaper readers missed their daily papers, but the company’s South Island editor-in-chief, Joanna Norris, said most papers got through.
Trucks carrying yesterday’s Marlborough Express and The Press, both printed in Christchurch, were delayed by highway closures and arrived in Blenheim in the evening. Papers leaving Christchurch for Queenstown and the West Coast were also affected. Further overnight closures would delay today’s papers also.
‘‘We are doing our best to get papers through,’’ Norris said. ‘‘This exposes the vulnerability of the South Island with only one road to the north and we are looking forward to the reopening of State Highway 1.’’