Look what's going from Moa Bone Point

After more than five years the shipping containers around Moa Bone Point are finally being removed.

Cranes began shifting the containers on Monday night and will finish the job tonight. On Wednesday night a third of the containers along Clifton Tce will also disappear.

Ballasted shipping containers were placed on several sites around Sumner after the February 2011 earthquake to protect road users from slips and rockfalls.

At Moa Bone Point, along Main Rd, remediation works have now been completed to a stage where the containers are no longer needed.

Progress at Clifton Tce means one third of the containers can be removed now, with the remaider going once further mitigation work is completed.

Once the containers are gone, temporary fences will be put in place to prevent people accessing the areas where there is still a risk of rock fall or cliff collapse, before permanent security fences are installed as the work is completed.

Christchurch City Council General Manager City Services Dave Adamson said the community would undoubtedly welcome the removal of the shipping containers.

“It’s another visible sign of recovery. The containers have played an important role as a temporary safety measure, but we are sure everyone is looking forward to seeing them go, and having permanent mitigation measures in place to protect people using this road,’’ Mr Adamson said.

What’s happening with the other shipping containers around Sumner?

At Peacocks Gallop the shipping containers will need to remain at the Deans Head corner and Clifton Hill end of the reserve until the completion of the land remediation works, which are being done by Land Information New Zealand on behalf of the Council as part of the Sumner-Lyttelton Corridor road repair programme.

As each section of the 300-metre bund is completed, the containers will be progressively removed.  They should all be gone from Peacocks Gallop by autumn 2017.

Containers in Wakefield Ave will remain in place as the risk of rockfall and cliff collapse in this area remains high. Geotechnical remediation works at the Wakefield Ave sites are progressing well, with one of the three bunds recently completed. The containers will be removed once all the bunds are completed. Permanent fencing will be installed to prevent people accessing the areas where a hazard remains.

The containers on Heberden Ave, adjacent to Truro St, have been realigned to allow limited traffic movement along Heberden Ave.