Mangonui's Neva Clarke McKenna Boardwalk finally has its safety railing, much to the dismay of some local people, but it might not be achieving all that it is designed to do judging by what one resident saw recently.

The barrier has been the subject of a long-running dispute between the Far North District Council, which undertook to erect a railing when it lodged its resource consent application with the Northland Regional Council. The regional council has been insisting for some years that the district council comply with its consent, and various building regulations, while locals have consistently opposed the erection of a railing on aesthetic grounds.

One resident suggested last week that a "nice glass fence" would have been more palatable, and presumably wouldn't have been wide enough on top for kids to walk on.

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