Motorway delays as drivers slow to watch SkyCity fire

Traffic is slow on the central Auckland motorways this morning as drivers slow down to look at the fire at the SkyCity convention centre.

The NZ Transport Agency tweeted at 10am: "Motorists continuing to slow down to view the City Centre Fire from the Victoria Park Flyover are creating long delays citybound over the Harbour Bridge today."

Auckland Transport is still warning people to stay away from the area around SkyCity where Nelson St, Hobson St and Wellesley St remain closed.

Buses have also been diverted around the affected area.

Separately, all Birkenhead ferries have been cancelled due to the wild, windy weather.

Earlier, Auckland Transport spokesman Mark Hannan said traffic was flowing normally on other routes into the city including Fanshawe St, Tāmāki Drive and the port, with less traffic than usual as many people heeded advice to work from home or elsewhere.

READ MORE:
• SkyCity fire live: Inferno rages, roof fears, TVNZ evacuated
• SkyCity fire live: Firefighters battle blaze into Wednesday morning
• SkyCity Convention Centre fire: Who pays for the damage to $700m construction site?
• SkyCity Convention Centre damages dispute murkier after fire

Auckland Council's 1800 central city workers were advised at 6.30am to stay home.

The Auckland District Court, Central Library, City Art Gallery, Farmers' Queen St department store and some government offices are closed.