Power has been restored to 1300 properties in central Christchurch.

The cuts started at around 12.40 this afternoon across the central city, Addington and Riccarton.

Traffic lights were out on the major routes: Moorhouse Ave, Blenheim Road and Deans Ave and drivers had to apply the give way rules.

Orion spokesperson Linda McGregor says they expected to have all power restored by 3.30pm, and had done so by 1.30.

"We have identified that it was a cable fault in the Mandeville St-Blenheim Rd area, by re-routing power from other sources we have been able to restore power."