Courier drivers between Nelson and Golden Bay say timed closures of the Takaka Hill have added pressure to their schedule, but some have been granted special midday permits.
CourierPost driver Debbie Boyd (in van) and contractor Lloyd Granger wait in the queue for Takaka. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
State Highway 60, the Takaka Hill road, which was damaged by severe slips in the aftermath of ex-cyclone Gita, is opened for an hour twice each week day.
Traffic is allowed through from 7-8am and again from 5-6pm each week day.
CourierPost driver Debbie Boyd was in the convoy this morning from Nelson to Takaka, and said getting to the cordon on time is just another deadline.
"I leave home at 5.30 in the morning and there are things that have been put in place to help manage our day. I then come home on the crossing at night time, so yeah - it's a really long day," she said.
A subcontractor to the company, Lloyd Granger, said drivers carrying essential goods had special permits to allow them through at midday.
A tourist heading on a five-day fishing trip in Golden Bay said navigating road closures over the Takaka Hill was part of the adventure of travelling to the destination.
Queenstown tourist Santillan de Pinto in this morning's queue. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
Takaka business owners have told RNZ they have empty cafes and motels and everyone is hurting as a result of the only road in and out being closed for most of the time.
Queenstown retail manager Santillan de Pinto who was in this morning's convoy towards Takaka, said there was adequate information for visitors to plan a trip around the closures.
"Absolutely, yeah, I've been keeping an eye on it from Queenstown. There's a Facebook page and also the NZTA website which is fantastic and certainly helped us plan our trip.
"It was certainly instrumental in getting us here on time and over the hill."
Mr de Pinto said they caught a flight to Nelson yesterday and booked a night's accommodation there before heading to the cordon early this morning.
The hill is now open on Sundays for all-day travel between 8am and 5pm.
Local business owners are meeting in Takaka tonight to discuss issues around loss of income and insurance interruption. They also aim to get some certainty about the road repairs, so they can plan ongoing staffing arrangements.
