BETTER ACCESS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19175, 5 December 1927, Page 4

BETTER ACCESS.

SOUTH BRIGHTON'S NEW BRIDGE. OFFICIAL OPENING. Up to the present the district of South New Brighton has been under a disadvantage in that access to it was to be obtained from Christchurch on y by crossing the Avon some considerable distance away from the place, but the new bridge, which spans the river near Pleasant Point, joining Bridge street with Breeze's roan, Bromley, will now shorten the distance to Christchurch by about three-quarters of a mile, and 10 Woolston by about two miles. The bridge consists of two strut tuio», a large one crossing the main stream of th 3 Avon, and a smaUer one, wh«Ji spans the lesser stream Ihe former bridge, which is built of hardwood timbers, is 275 feet in length consists ot seven spans of 25 feet each and is 1» feet in width between the wheel guaids or 19 feet between the hand rails. Jt has a clearance on the centre span <>r 13 feet at high water, and 18 teet at low water The smaller bridge consists of one span of 25 feet, there being a width of 12 feet between the whee guards. There are 42 chains of road approaches and enbankments, with a top width of 22 feet. The approaches lead across tide-covered, rush-grown mudflats, and across two branches ot the Avon. The contractor, Mr Jas. McTaggart, commenced work in December of Fast year, the construction being much delayed owing to Australian hardwood being held up by shipping strikes in New South Wales. The price of the contract was £3313 for the bridge, and £6485 for the approaches. The engineer was Mr F. W. Freeman, and the clerk of works, Mr Louis Kohloff. The original loan, which was carried in February, 1924, was in respect of a bridge 12 feet in width, but at a later date it was decided to increase the width to 18 feet on the larger bridge. The opening ceremony took place on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large gathering. It was to have been performed by the Minister for Marine (Mr G.'J. Anderson), but owing to Parliamentary duties detaining him in Wellington, the Mayor of New Brighton (Mr \. W. Owles) acted in his stead. The ceremony at the bridge was a brief one, the Mayor formally declaring the structure open for traffic and the Mayoress cutting a ribbon. Cars were being allowed to use the bridge. Subsequently afternoon tea was served in the South Brighton Hall, where a number of appropriate toasts were honoured. The Mayor proposed the toast of "The Minister for Marine." Other toasts honoured were: "The Member for the District.'' proposed by the Mayor; "The New Brighton Borough Council." proposed by Mr W. Hulme, and responded to by the Mayor; "Local Bodies," -proposed by Mr H. A. Glasson, and responded to by various representatives; "The Engineer," proposed by.Mr F. D. Muirson, and responded to by Mr Freeman; "The Contractors," proposed by Mr E. A. M. Leaver, and responded to by Mr J. McTaggart.