Slip closes
Remutaka Hill
A large slip closed Remutaka Hill Rd for several hours yesterday. Police responded to reports of a slip blocking the southbound lane on the Featherston side of the summit at 2pm. Waka Kotahi NZTA said emergency services and contractors were on site, and heavy machinery was on its way. However, it warned of a possible road closure to allow for slip removal. At 4.15pm, the transport agency confirmed closure was necessary to remove debris. Motorists were advised to avoid the area and use an alternate route.
Anzac sun
Metservice is confident fine weather will dawn for this year’s Anzac Day. Metservice meteorologist Alwyn Bakker said despite this morning’s cool weather, tomorrow was looking fine for services in the region. “The forecast strong southerlies and showers will be passing this morning, clearing to becoming fine in the afternoon. Tomorrow is going to be mainly fine weather.”
Gunshot reports
Police responding to reports of gunfire in Masterton said they found no evidence of a shot being fired. Police received reports of a gunshot on Te Ore Ore Rd at 11.40pm on Saturday. Police did not confirm ongoing inquiries.
Multiple crashes
Emergency services responding to three separate crashes over the weekend confirmed the cars’ occupants had all escaped without injury. Police and Fire and Emergency responded to the first single-vehicle crash at 10am on Saturday just north of Masterton on Opaki Kaiparoro Rd. That night, police responded to a second single-vehicle crash on Masterton’s Queen St at 11pm. The third crash happened on River Rd at 3am yesterday. Police said no one was injured, and the road was not blocked in any of the incidents.
Roundabout
delayed
The installation of the temporary roundabout at Ngaumutawa Rd is now on hold until early May in light of the weekend’s wet weather. Waka Kotahi said it did not expect the change to cause any delays to the completion of its safety improvements project. Crews on site will continue to monitor the road condition and traffic flows. A temporary chip seal was laid at the Ngaumutawa site on Thursday.
