Bells Line remains shut as Christmas commute begins across region

Westbound lanes were closed following the spill just before 3.30pm about five minutes north of Katoomba, with the Bells Line Road still closed following bushfires.

The lanes were re-opened at 4.20pm.

The Hume Highway just south of Campbelltown has also been shut after the Ruined Castle fire - which stretches from the highway to near Katoomba - jumped containment lines on Thursday.

LiveTraffic NSW advises there is no detour while work crews mop up the spill.

The road to Jenolan was also shut due to bushfire risks.

Motorists travelling over the mountains this Christmas face the risk of commuter chaos with Bells Line of Road still closed thanks to the ongoing Gospters Mountain blaze.

NSW Rural Fire service closed the road on Sunday as attempts to contain the encroaching fire begun but the conditions are worsening and the fire's status remains 'out of control'.

As a result the Bells Line of Road remains closed as well, in a number of sections.

The road between Mountain Lagoon Road and the Darling Causeway is shut and, closer to Lithgow, Chifley Road between the Bells Line and Hartley Vale Road remains closed.

The entire Darling Causeway between Bell and Mount Victoria is also closed.

While on the Great Western Highway one eastbound lane was closed at lunchtime on Friday with emergency services on the scene following a truck breakdown near Katoomba, meaning just one lane was operational for motorists from the Central West travelling to Sydney in that period.

All warnings on livetraffic.com suggest motorists should avoid the area.

Meanwhile, all activities have been suspended at Jenolan Caves for four days due to the threat from bushfires.

The Oberon district tourist attraction made the announcement on its website on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, the NSW South Coast is on alert as fires in the north and south of the region continued to spread and threaten lives and properties.

Major roads are affected on the coast and there are fears the Princes Highway near Turpentine Road could be closed and smoke is affecting visibility and health.