Christchurch central city traffic delays likely after road closures

24 January 2005

Christchurch City Council is urging drivers to avoid travelling through the south-east of the central city because of delays caused by the closure of Madras Street between Lichfield and Cashel streets.

The north-bound one-way section was closed to all traffic and pedestrians late this afternoon and is likely to remain closed for several days as fire crews and other workers deal with buildings on the Bedford Row, Madras, Cashel block which have been damaged and possibly weakened by fire.

To ensure the safety of the public, also closed to traffic and pedestrians are Cashel Street, from Liverpool Steet to Madras, and all of Bedford Row.

All traffic on Madras will be turned east into Lichfield Street. Drivers will have to go two blocks to Fitzgerald Avenue before being able to turn north again.

“Anyone travelling north of Moorhouse Avenue should avoid Madras and if you’re travelling east and don’t have to use Lichfield Street, then please avoid it too because the diverted traffic from Madras is likely to cause delays further west on Lichfield,” says Council officer Peter McDonald.

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