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A downed tree is blocking a major Auckland road, causing damage to a light pole and trapping vehicles.

Police were alerted to the incident on Manukau Rd in Royal Oak, between the intersections with Symonds St and Lombardy Green, about 11.26am today.

Police said no injuries had been reported but the section of road was expected to be blocked for some time.

“Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible and to take another route.”

A reporter at the scene said police were waiting for Auckland Council employees to clear the tree.

Images from the scene show damage to a light pole as well as vehicles trapped under the tree.

The Lombardy poplar is listed on Auckland Council’s Notable Trees Schedule.

A man who lives across from the tree, who wished to remain anonymous, said he has been petitioning the council “for years” to get rid of the tree.

He said it regularly dropped big branches on people walking underneath it and swayed every time the wind came.

He also said today “could’ve gone a lot worse” given the elderly population of the street and the constant stream of mobility scooters up and down the road.

It comes as the number of open lanes on the Auckland Harbour Bridge has been reduced due to high winds this morning.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said two lanes are open in each direction due to severe wind gusts.

The NZTA also warned motorcyclists and motorists in high-sided vehicles to delay their journeys across the bridge.

“Lanes will reopen asap, subject to gusts becoming less severe,” NZTA said.

MetService’s forecast for Auckland says the fresh northeasterlies in the city should ease this afternoon.