Reports that traffic is backed up along Takitimu Drive almost as far as the Harbour Bridge are puzzling Tauranga Police.

The possible cause is a crash at Bethlehem on State Highway 2, at the intersection with Taniwha Place.

The crash happened at about 2pm, when a light pole was knocked down across the road.

Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Senior Sergeant Ian Campion says it's a minor accident, no injuries and it's not blocking.

'I wouldn't have thought that would have backed it up to the Harbour Bridge,” says Ian.

'A member of the public has removed the pole and traffic is getting through on both sides. So it looks like traffic's flowing there.”