Work to improve the safety of unstable rock that has reduced State Highway 30 between Rotorua and Whakatane to one lane is progressing well.

NZ Transport Authority report severe weather conditions last month brought down material at Ruato Bay in Rotoiti forcing the agency to reduce the state highway to a single lane while workers began the challenging task of removing loose rock from the cliff face.

This initial rock removal work was completed during the course of several weeks by contractors, who abseiled down the cliff face to clear the unstable rocks.

Bay of Plenty state highways manager Brett Gliddon says the work has now progressed to a monitoring phase to ensure the cliff face remains stable after the initial clearing.

The next stage of works in the coming months will see more permanent safety measures being progressed at the cliff face, while the full extent of these will be confirmed once the monitoring is completed.

Brett says it is likely this will involve placing steel mesh and pinning of the remaining large boulders above the road.

The concrete barrier currently in place and the current traffic management system will remain during the coming months to ensure the safety of both motorists and workers at the site.

The NZTA and the Rotorua District Council says safety of road users is paramount and SH30 will be fully reopened when the permanent safety measures are in place to minimise the risk of material falling on the road.

'We will endeavour to keep delays to the absolute minimum throughout this work.”