The main road between Christchurch and Akaroa had to be closed on this morning after a large slip blocked both lanes of State Highway 75.
Niwa has reported heavier than average rainfall for the area recently.
Some Banks Peninsula motorists encountered long delays.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand was alerted to a "slow-moving" slip on the arterial between Birdlings Flat and Little River, shortly after 7am this morning.
Police and fire crews from Lincoln and Little River assessed the scene and considered the road to be dangerous enough to close the busy state highway, while contractors cleared the debris.
By mid-morning, one lane was able to be reopened to traffic, with a temporary speed reduction and stop/go management put in place.
Fire crews were alerted at approximately 7.15am to the slip on the rural State Highway 75, the Christchurch-Akaroa Rd which passes between the two districts. Photo: NZ Herald
A Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency spokesperson said both lanes were reopened to traffic early this afternoon.
- Geoff Sloan, Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
