UPOKONGARO BRIDGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18329, 12 November 1921, Page 2

UPOKONGARO BRIDGE

UNSAFE FOR HEAVY TRAFFIC. At a meeting of the Wanganui County Council yesterday the chairman (Cr. A. Mackintosh), said that in consequence of four ton lorries laden with 18 or 19 bales of wool crossing the Upokongaro Bridge, and as the bridge was absolutely unsafe for such heavy traffic, he had taken steps to notify the Interested carrying firms warning them that the bridge was used for such heavy traffic at their ojyn risk. He said that the lorry drivers were in the position that if they would not drive over it they would lose their jobs. If the bridge collapsed it would mean that the settlers would have to use the Upokongaro ferry. They did not want to close the bridge as it would carry light traffic. Cr. Hamilton commented upon the delay in erecting the new bridge. The Council seriously discussed the matter as to the best steps to be taken to prevent accident and protect the Council from liability. Cr. D. McGregor thought If they allowed anybody to cross the structure they would take the liability. The county clerk said that the only absolute protection was to close the bridge altogether. One suggestion was that a loading bank should be erected each side of the bridge so that lighter loads could be taken over.

It was decided that the riding members and the engineer, with power to act, should confer on the spot in regard to the erection of loading banks.