8pm – SH1 reopened after fatal crash

State Highway 1/Parnassus Road in North Canterbury has reopened following a fatal crash this morning.

With police on-site investigations complete, the highway has reopened under a 50km/h temporary speed limit at the crash site as further clean-up of the road will be required in daylight tomorrow.

People are asked to take care travelling this route, and to be aware there may still be delays as congestion clears.

11.30am – Closure points, detour adjusted for SH1 crash

Adjustments have been made to the road closure points and detour available after a crash that has closed State Highway 1 in North Canterbury.

The closure of SH1 that was between Cheviot and Spotswood following a serious two-vehicle crash about 8.30am this morning, is now extended from Leader Road East at the northern end, to Mount Cass Road at the south near Waipara.

The new approved detour route is as follows: southbound traffic should turn right onto Leader Road East, follow Leader Road East onto Leader Road West, follow onto Inland Route 70/Inland Kaikōura Road from Waiau, and turn left onto State Highway 7 and back onto SH1. The reverse applies for northbound traffic.

This detour route is suitable for general access trucks, but heavier High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMVs) cannot use this route. Drivers of those heavier vehicles are encouraged to consider either delaying their travel, or they can use the longer alternative inland route between Blenheim and Waipara via State Highways 6, 63, 65, and 7, through the Waiau Valley and Lewis Pass.

A further update will be provided as the road status changes.

Live traffic update(external link) 

10am – Detours in place after SH1 crash

Detours are in place after a serious crash closed State Highway 1 in North Canterbury this morning.

SH1/Parnassus Road is closed between Cheviot and Spotswood after the two-vehicle crash which police were called to about 8.30am.

The detour is as follows: southbound traffic should use Waiau West Road at Spotswood, turn left onto Leamington Road, left onto Munro Road, and right onto Ward Road through to Cheviot. The reverse applies for northbound traffic.

The detour route is not suitable for heavy vehicles. Heavy vehicles should use Leader Road East, Rotherham Road and State Highway 7.

Live traffic update(external link)

9.15am – Serious crash blocks SH1 in North Canterbury

People are being advised to delay travel on State Highway 1 in North Canterbury after a serious two-vehicle crash.

Police were called to the crash on SH1/Parnassus Road, between Spotswood and Cheviot, about 8.30am this morning.

Police say they have closed the road ahead of contractors for New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) arriving at the site. Initial indications are there are serious injuries, police say.

People are asked to avoid the area and to prepare for a potential closure lasting hours. NZTA will advise if suitable detours are available. An update will be provided when more information is available or the status of the road changes.

Live traffic update(external link)