Investigation work is continuing at the site of a large slip blocking Motu Road.

In mid-November, a section of Motu Road gave way near the Ōpōtiki district boundary between Papamoa Hill and Whitikau roads, around the 35-kilometre mark.

The road has been closed on both sides of the slip since, inconveniencing residents and users of the Motu Trails, although the Ōpōtiki News understands an unauthorised “goat track” has been formed across the slip face.

A man who biked from Ōpōtiki with his daughter on Sunday to view the slip was surprised to see three young mountainbikers come pass them, pick up their bikes and make their way across.

“I was impressed with their enthusiasm; the slip wasn’t going to stop them.”

Ōpōtiki District Council said yesterday that work was ongoing and geotechnical crews, supported by a drill rig, were on site last week to assess soil and rock conditions, slope stability, and feasible options for restoring access.

Once this analysis is complete, the council will provide an update on the findings and next steps.

“We recognise the significant disruption this has caused for residents and thank the community for its continued patience,” a council spokesperson said.

Motu Road usually carries around 35 vehicles a day and many cyclists use it as its own ride, or to access the upper part of the Pakihi Track.

While Pakihi Track is still open, and cyclists can get to the start of the trail from State Highway 2 via the Matawai and Motu Village, this is not ideal.

For the Motu Trails Charitable Trust, it is very important the slip is cleared and through-access is restored.

“Motu Road has always been the link of the trails.

“Without through-access, people can’t cycle up Motu Road to the top of Pakihi Track, and they can’t ride from Matawai or Motu Village through to the coast,” said Jim Robinson.

“That has been a shame when the Pakihi Track and the Dunes Trail have been in such good condition all summer.

“Hopefully a solution can be found promptly, as Motu Road is important to lots of people and for route security.”

The slip is significant, stretching around 100 metres from head to toe with channels through the road bench.

An initial report provided several early options once the area had stabilised, but none of them were simple given a section of the road had been taken out by the slip.

Possible solutions included re-routing the road to bypass the slip (which would mean building more than 1km of road through challenging terrain); retreating the road or clearing the slip and constructing bridge works across the lost road bench.