Walkers and bikers were caught short on the Alexandra to Clyde River track on Thursday morning, after Delta contractors closed it at the 3km mark for tree felling.

A ‘danger’ sign just past the confluence of the Fraser and Clutha River after the bridge, warns track users that work is being carried out to remove dangerous trees on March 5 and 6.

The Central Otago District Council had a notification of the closure on their website, but several mountainbikers spoken to on the bridge were unaware after biking the first 3km, they couldn’t go any further.

One man spoken to who walks the track regularly with his dog, said it was the second closure at that location in the past few weeks.

Others were holiday makers who had parked at the Alexandra end and intended to bike to Clyde without realising they couldn’t do the full 12km.

The popular track can be closed at short notice after storms and high river levels, including in November and December 2025.

Parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey apologised for any inconvenience caused by the closure of a portion of the track.

“Contractors were on site at short notice today (Thursday) removing a large branch that was hanging over the track.

“The work is part of ongoing tree maintenance to avoid future issues and keep everyone able to use the track.”

Up in Bridge Hill, the Kamaka walkway has also been closed until further notice. A willow tree limb has fallen at the Gillaly Way end of the track and contractors have been working to remove it.

The CODC closed a section of the Roxburgh River Track in the town last week due to ongoing tree felling work, being carried out by the Department of Conservation.

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