Auckland motorists welcomed to the city with large motorway delays

A sheep gets a better look at traffic numbers on the Southern Motorway. Photo / Sarah Doncaster

Traffic on Auckland's motorways swelled this afternoon as motorists headed back into the city at the end of the weekend.

A multiple car crash on the Northern Motorway, near the McClymonts Rd overbridge, caused major delays to southbound traffic.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area after three or four cars crashed nose to tail soon after 4pm.

A crash is causing delays on the Northern Motorway. Photo / NZTA

The NZ Transport Agency first reported the right lane was blocked at 4.10pm before reporting at 5.45pm the crash was cleared.

At 4.40pm the Agency said traffic was tailed back to Loney Track Rd north of Auckland.

A police spokesperson said there were no information about any injuries.

A sheep gets a better look at traffic numbers on the Southern Motorway. Photo / Sarah Doncaster

On the other side of town, northbound motorists on the Southern Motorway were welcomed by heavy traffic and delays between Drury and Takanini.

Sarah Doncaster was travelling north on the Southern when she noticed another commuter who became fed up with the waiting.

Posting a photo to Facebook, Doncaster said: "Traffic is bit slow on the southern this evening. Even the cargo got annoyed with it."

FINAL UPDATE 7PM
Congestion has eased. ^MF https://t.co/Psy1DRsh8B

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) September 30, 2018