Multiple crashes cause gridlock in Wellington

A spate of accidents on Wellington's main arterial routes lead to gridlock for commuters this morning.

There were two separate three car collisions within 200m of each other on the southbound lane of Johnsonville-Porirua motorway around 7.30am.

The two accidents, which occurred south of the Granada on-ramp, near Johnsonville, were expected to cause long delays.

Police were advising motorists to delay their travel by at least 40 minutes or take alternative routes, such as Middleton Rd.

Meanwhile, State Highway 2 at Te Marua, just north of Upper Hutt City, was closed in both directions at 6.43am after a two car crash.

No one was injured in the crash but the road was expected to be closed for up to an hour.

Police urged motorists to drive to the conditions, ensure head lights were on and to increase following distance.

- NZPA