Hopes for convoy out of quake-ravaged Kaikoura today

The New Zealand Army convoy makes it way through the Inland Rd to Kaikoura yesterday. Photo / Kurt Bayer

The only road out of Kaikoura may reopen briefly today for those desperate to get out of the quake-stricken southern town.

Canterbury Civil Defence posted on its Facebook page last night it was hoping to open the Inland Rd to traffic for two hours today.

It will be the first chance people will have had to get out of the township in almost two weeks since it was cut-off by the 7.8 quake on November 14.

@CanterburyEM is hoping to open the KEA Route (Inland Road) between 1pm and 3pm today for one-way travel from Kaikoura. Updates to follow! https://t.co/2ESn5n45Zi

— Canterbury CDEMGroup (@CanterburyEM) November 24, 2016

To date, access on the emergency inland road has been restricted to military vehicles in convoy bringing supplies to the stricken township.

Civil Defence said the road would be open between 1 and 3pm for one-way travel out of Kaikoura to the south.

However, this would depend on weather and other safety conditions.

A spokesman said details about the size of the convoy were still being worked out.

Decisions on the make-up of the convoy including the mix of 4WD and ordinary cars were also being considered, he said.

More details were due to be released at 9am.

Drivers registered for today's convoy were reminded safety was the top priority along the route.