Media release
1 December 2009

Cable damage causes Pakuranga traffic delays

Damage to a fibre optic cable in Pakuranga Road cut off telecommunications and caused traffic delays this morning.

A roading contractor working for Manukau City Council damaged the cable early this morning, meaning emergency repairs were necessary to restore telecommunications in the area.

The repairs, which began at 2.30am, required the closure of the westbound left lane of Pakuranga Road on the approach to the intersection with Te Rakau Drive.

Manukau City Council Transport Group Manager Chris Freke says the damage meant phone lines were down and the lane closure caused traffic delays during rush hour traffic.

“This has had quite a major impact on people in the Pakuranga area and we acknowledge the inconvenience it has caused.

“Normally any work on roads is programmed to take place over night or outside peak times. However this work had to be done immediately because phone lines were down in the area, which also affected Eftpos at Westfield Pakuranga.

“We asked radio traffic reports to advise drivers of alternative routes and changed traffic light phasing to try to clear the traffic backlog.

“We’ll be reviewing what happened to see if incidents like this can be avoided or at the least any impacts are minimised,” Mr Freke says.

The repair works will be completed overnight so all lanes on Pakuranga Rd are open for peak morning traffic.

ENDS

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