The Waiho River Bridge was washed out after torrential rain. Photo: Wayne Costello / DOCSome West Coast businesses may go bust after the closure of the Waiho River bridge caused an abrupt end to visits by tourists. The South Westland Bailey bridge was washed away when torrential rain battered the West Coast on 26 March, cutting off access between Fox Glacier and Franz Josef. But without the bridge, South Westland has been effectively cut in half, with detours adding hundreds of extra kilometres or forcing people to use helicopter taxis. However, West Coast accountant Andrew Elphick said that was not enough to assure some Franz Josef businesses, who laid off staff early.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 07, 2019 02:15 UTC