A Christchurch fire brigade says staff have been "subjected to abuse" from drivers following the forced closure of a road due to rockfall.
Sumner's Main Rd was closed near Rapanui / Shag Rock following reports of rocks and water falling from the Clifton Hill, Christchurch City Council's head of transport Stephen Wright told 1News in a statement.
The protective wire netting preventing rocks from tumbling down had also been dislodged.
In a statement this afternoon, the Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade said a "decision was quickly made to close both the road and footpath to protect the public" pending a geotechnical assessment.
The fire brigade said it had "hoped for a degree of understanding and patience from the wider public" in the wake of two fatal landslides in Mt Maunganui on January 22 – but that was "not always the case".
"Our volunteers were subjected to abuse from drivers being asked to take the 15-20 minute detour over Evans Pass, and we also encountered cyclists moving barriers to access the footpath — even after being advised that both the road and footpath were closed."
The brigade said situations such as rockfalls did not simply relent to allow people through so they could get somewhere on time.
"Mother Nature does not care if you are running late. When a road is closed, it is done so for the safety of all road users, pedestrians, and emergency service personnel.
"To those who were understanding and cooperative — thank you.
"To those who were not, please do better next time."
In a statement this afternoon, a council spokesperson told 1News a geotechnical assessment determined the rockfall was caused by a blocked wastewater pipe.
It added there was a "low risk of additional falls" and one lane of Main Rd had since reopened.
Motorists were advised they would be able to leave and enter Sumner, but there were "significant delays in both directions".
"Traffic is being managed via traffic lights that will be manually controlled during peak times to allow for traffic flow in and out of Christchurch.
"This traffic system is likely to be in place for several days while the area dries out."
The spokesperson said the Coastal Pathway remained open, while Clifton Tce was operating on one lane and "may need to be closed at times for repair works".
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