Bridge plans please majority

The NZTA plans to build a business case for replacing the old Beaumont Bridge. Photo / Hamish MacLean

Many Beaumont residents are applauding the New Zealand Transport Agency's (NZTA) announcement it will progress with a business case to build a new bridge, allowing traffic to continue to travel in front of the local hotel.

But not everyone is happy with the decision.

Last week, the NZTA held a community meeting in the township, also attended by councillors from the Clutha District and Otago Regional Councils, over the future alignment of a new bridge across the Clutha River.

This comes after many years of lobbying to replace the 130-year-old, single-lane bridge which needs constant repairs, meaning an annual maintenance bill of about $250,000.

NZTA projects team manager Simon Underwood said the community meeting provided the project team with helpful insights into residents' views, preferences and concerns, as well as picking up on local history and insights.

There were two broad options for a new bridge put out for feedback - one taking a more direct line behind the hotel (option B), and the other more closely following the existing highway alignment, which would continue to pass in front of the hotel (option A).

Mr Underwood said although there were mixed views, there was a clear community preference emerging for option A.Beaumont farmer Doug Joyce and Beaumont Hotel owner Alison Mills were delighted with that preference.

"The new bridge is a must," Mr Joyce said.

"We've put up with that old one for years and years, rebuilding it and replanking it, and it's just a pain in the [backside].

"Option A is the only option that makes sense."

Mrs Mills said State Highway 8 had been running past the Beaumont Hotel for the past 110 years, and she was pleased the NZTA was working to keep it that way.

"It would be stupid to change it."

She was strongly opposed to the other option because a new 70-berth camping ground was planned for Beaumont, at a site "right smack dab in the middle" of the new route. The venture would be a tourist attraction.

However, Beaumont Residents' Group secretary-treasurer Margaret Healy did not support either option.

Option B was unworkable and option A, unless it was "tweaked", would mean she would lose a third of her garden to the proposed route.

"It would take three 150-year-old-plus oak trees in the part they want to take. That's a lot of history they would want to chop down."

Mr Underwood said completion of the detailed business case for the bridge was likely to run through to March/April next year and would involve further engagement with key stakeholders, including the Clutha District Council, as well as geotechnical, environmental, structural and highway safety considerations.

"Until this is complete, no one option is off the table. But the Transport Agency acknowledges the community's preference for option A, and ... we will be seeking to develop that option in the first instance."

The NZTA previously indicated the process was likely to extend to mid-late 2018 and progression to construction would need to be included in the next three year National Land Transport Programme (2018-19 to 2021).