Work on flood channels begins

A digger yesterday started clearing overgrown flood channels next to State Highway 1 at Hilderthorpe, north of Oamaru, to alleviate flooding after heavy rain which closed the highway.

The New Zealand Transport Agency inspected the area last week after the problem was raised by Waitaki Plains farmer Bill Pile when the highway was closed twice at the end of April.

As a result, a digger will work on channels on both sides of the highway, digging out vegetation which has impeded the flow of water.

The work is expected to take at least two weeks, depending on the weather and how overgrown the channels are.