Events drive bumper to bumper traffic
Traffic was bumper to bumper through Timaru towards Dunedin yesterday, prompting warnings to motorists to take care with multiple events increasing vehicle flows.
Southbound traffic was slow through Timaru late morning and early afternoon, and at one point on social media motorists were being advised to avoid the town with claims traffic was at a standstill on State Highway 1 in the vicinity of Seadown.
Nelson motorcyclist Simon Collins, who rode through Timaru about noon on his way to the Burt Munro Rally in Invercargill, described the traffic as ‘‘appalling’’.
Traffic was backed up to the Phar Lap Raceway in Washdyke, he said.
There were concerns the first rainfall in the town in 30 days would add to driving issues in the afternoon, but light rain only began to fall in the evening.
Just seven millimetres of rain fell on Timaru in January – 14 per cent of the historical average of 54.4mm – according to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research’s (Niwa) monthly climate summary released yesterday.
In other parts of South Canterbury, January was driest ever - namely Lake Tekapo with 1mm or 3 per cent of the historical average, and Orari Estate near Geraldine with 3mm or 6 per cent of the historical average.
Records began in 1881 for Timaru, 1925 for Lake Tekapo, and 1897 for Orari Estate.
NZTA journey manager Peter Brown said high traffic volumes are expected over the coming days through South Canterbury.
One of the events was Sir Elton John’s concert in Dunedin last night and it was anticipated there will be heavy flows of traffic in and out of Dunedin before and after that event.
‘‘While Daniel may be travelling on a plane to the concert, there will be many others seeing the red tail lights heading to and from Dunedin from all around the South Island,’’ Brown said.
‘‘Leave on time and arrive safely is our advice.’’
Brown said he anticipated heavy traffic flows this morning, ‘‘but the many activities on in Dunedin and further south across Waitangi week could see higher volumes of traffic right throughout the week’’.
That included the New Zealand Masters Games in Dunedin, and the Burt Munro Challenge Rally in Southland, he said.