Trucks face huge travel times due to Canterbury flooding

Truck drivers in Canterbury are facing massive delays because of a bridge damaged in the floods, forcing them to take a big detour inland in order to travel south of Ashburton. The Hakatere Bridge over Ashburton River is now open to light vehicles, but more stress testing is needed to ensure it can support the weight of trucks that travel along the major supply route. Supermarkets have reported issues restocking their shelves due to the delays and if further testing of the bridge later today deems it unsafe for heavy vehicles, southern New Zealand could continue experiencing supply problems for some time. Our reporter Ella Stewart and cameraman Sam Rillstone made the drive from Christchurch to Timaru yesterday to see what the journey's like in the wake of the floods.