Access to the docks in Hamilton is to be restricted for part of this week to allow for urgent repairs.

Stevedoring Services Limited put in a request last year for three days of construction for “critical resurfacing work” to alleviate dangerous conditions, a company statement said.

Repairs to asphalt on the docks will take place from Friday to Sunday.

Extended access hours are set for Thursday, with an additional 4½ hours to accommodate port activity that would ordinarily take place on Friday.

The job had to be co-ordinated with scheduled shipping, as well as the landlord of the dock, the Corporation of Hamilton.

Warren Jones, chief executive of Stevedoring Services, said the repairs to the working area of the docks would safeguard against an unscheduled interruption of service caused by injury or equipment damage. No ships are in port this Friday, he added.

“We understand that this is not ideal, but it is necessary, and we have pushed to ensure that this work is done on a ship-less weekend with extended pre-closure hours to facilitate those of our clients with critical needs,” Mr Jones said, thanking stakeholders for their support.

Truckers will have late gate access to the docks tomorrow until 10pm. There will be no access to the dock until Monday to accommodate the first ship of the week.