Raglan resident John Lawson said, “The proposed bridge is a third longer than the present bridge, will need the pohutukawas pruned to allow the walkway to be raised over a metre, is still too narrow for a safe mix of cyclists, pedestrians and mobility scooters (the WDC recommended width for this is 3 metres), and has a 51mm round metal handrail in place of the present 100mm flat timber rail.” He points out thathis tmay result in fewer people jumping, but those who do, would be less able to pause to assess danger.
John went on to say, “The latest engineers’ report to Council suggests the cost could be $3.4m (over $2,500 for each Raglan ratepayer). Each year of servicing this $3m loan would cost $200,000, yet repairing the present bridge to last another 5 years would be a mere $25,000 a year.” He highlights the fact that no candidate in the current WDC election wants to pledge any change and asks, “Are they right to think few now care about the tradition and safety of jumping off the bridge, more and larger boats going past the beach where children swim, the pohutukawas, or the cost?” John is interested to hear (825 7866) before the 15 September hearing on the views of people about these issues.