Council lifts some Port Hills road and track restrictions

Authorities have lifted restrictions limiting the time Dyers Pass Road is open. They have also opened Summit Road east of Sign of the Kiwi to traffic, providing access to walking and riding tracks.

Both roads will now be open all day and through the night, although a speed restriction and no-stopping restriction apply along Dyers Pass Road.

“We know what a crucial lifeline Dyers Pass Road is and how much people have been wanting to regain access to the much-loved tracks and park spaces,” Christchurch Recovery Manager Murray Sinclair says. “The rural firefighters and roading, tree and other experts we’ve had assessing the various risks have worked hard to provide an assurance the area is safe to provide access.”

The speed limit and no-stopping would likely be further reviewed once any effects of today’s rain were better understood.

The opening means riders and walkers can access tracks off Summit Road east, including Bowenvale Valley tracks, Victoria Park, and Sugarloaf reserve tracks. The lower section of the Harry Ell track is open.

Halswell Quarry Park is also open, although Kennedy’s Bush track is closed so there is no access from that point.

Due to the ongoing firefighting operation, the west side of Summit Road remains closed, along with tracks that are in the burnt and fire affected areas. Christchurch Adventure Park remains closed and Mr Sinclair asked that people stay away from these areas.

“Particularly in the Adventure Park area, we are asking people to stay away from these tracks while the owners assess the repairs they need to do and get on with that work, which is likely to involve heavy machinery and possibly tree felling. This could go on for some time. In the meantime, we are encouraging people to make use of the tracks to the east of Dyers Pass Road, such as in Bowenvale Valley.”

Riders and walkers wanting to check on the status of tracks can do so via the Council’s website,https://www.ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/explore-parks

People are reminded that Summit Road is closed at Rapaki Track as a result of the earthquakes.

Tracks that remain closed include:

• Top of Harry Ell Track

• Thompsons Track

• Old Dyers Pass Road Track

• All of Christchurch Adventure Park

• Flying Nun

• Marleys Hill tracks

• Kennedys Track (from Halswell To Summit Road)

• Crater Rim between Kennedys Track and Cass Peak

• Ohinetahi track network (Summit Road Society)

• Worsley Road Track

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