Work to make one of Nelson's main arterial links safer for road users will begin next month. Starting in November, contractors will undertake important recovery work on State Highway 6, Rocks Road.

This will help protect one of the region’s most heavily used routes – including the 22,000 road users who use it every day – by ensuring it is more resistant to weather events, slips and rockfalls in the future.  

A rocky cliffside with greenery overlooks a coastal road. A tanker truck and a car drive past orange barriers. Overcast skies create a somber tone. SH6 Rocks Road work site

Rob Service, System Manager Nelson-Tasman, says this will be an extensive programme of work, which is why it has been broken up into several phases. 

“The first phase will run from Sunday, 2 November, and is expected to conclude in March 2026”.

“It will include completing critical rock scaling work and removing vegetation and old netting along the southern section of the cliff face, closest to Tāhunanui Beach. This will be followed by the installation of new mesh netting that will be anchored to the cliff face,” Mr Service says. 

Other methods such as shotcrete or matting will be used in other locations to prevent further erosion of cliff face material while encouraging natural revegetation. 

Mr Service says previous winter storms show how vital this work is. “During June and July this year, soil and rock, primarily from the top of the cliffs, fell and closed the road, creating significant disruption for road users in Nelson. It also highlighted additional instability along sections of the cliff.”

“The investment we are making is about improving safety, and maintaining and protecting a critical regional transport link,” Mr Service says. 

Because contractors will be working above the road, Mr Service says steps must be taken to keep the public safe from the risk of falling debris.

“Traffic management will be in place throughout this project and may, at times, include temporary lane and road closures.”