Ed invasion: Up to 21,000 cars coming from Christchurch

The NZ Transport Agency is warning of delays with between 5000 and 7000 extra cars expected on SH1 north of Dunedin for each Ed Sheeran concert as fans flood into the city.

NZTA this morning urged motorists to plan ahead and travel during non-peak times to avoid delays caused by people flooding into Otago for the Sheeran shows and Warbirds over Wanaka.

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The two events would swell traffic volumes in Otago and Canterbury, NZTA said.

According to Enterprise Dunedin at least one third of the tickets sold to the three Sheeran concerts had Christchurch address.

NZTA said between 5000 and 7000 extra vehicles were expected on SH1 for each of the three concerts, meaning up to 21,000 across the entire Easter weekend.

An earlier statement from NZTA saying 16,000 tickets were sold in Christchurch for the Sheeran concerts was incorrect.

Warbirds over Wanaka would attract people into the Queenstown Lakes District while many others would be heading to Dunedin for the Sheeran concerts.

Around 50,000 people attended the air show in 2016, so people should expect large volumes of traffic on SH1, SH79 (Geraldine to Fairlie), SH8 (Tekapo, Omarama, the Lindis Pass) SH6 (Kawarau Gorge, Cromwell, Wanaka) and the Crown Range.

People catching a plane at Queenstown Airport should expect delays making it to there final destination as the  Crown Range between Queenstown and Wanaka would be "very busy" along with all other roads around Queenstown.

NZTA's travel team had put together maps, which can be viewed here, to show the expected peak Easter holiday traffic times to help drivers decide the best time to travel to avoid delays.

They were predictions and were subject to change based on the weather, local events and other factors.

“If everyone plans their travel in advance, and thinks about how they can travel outside the busiest periods it will help reduce congestion, delays and stress and that will make it a safer and more enjoyable journey for everyone,” NZTA senior journey manager Neil Walker says.

Meanwhile people heading in and out of Golden Bay over Takaka Hill could travel in convoys 8am to 8pm over the four days of Easter and  Kaikōura access via SH1 was open 7.30 am to 7.30 pm.