SHANNON BRIDGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2989, 21 January 1926, Page 3

SHANNON BRIDGE.

MR LINKLATER’,S ACTIVITIES,

It is over eighteen months since the Shannon bridge was rendered useless by reason of the eastern span being carried away by flood. For some considerable time prior to the disaster the bridge was threatened by erosion on the eastern side. \\lhen through communication between Foxton, Moutoa and Shannon was cut off, meetings wehe held by representatives of interested local bodies and the whole question discussed. Prior to the destruction of the bridge, the Main Highways Board declared theßhannon-Foxton road a main highway but refused to sanction any expenditure in reference to repairs to the present bridge as the Board was not satisfied with its location and a conference of engineers decided on a new site and a new structure. The next point was apportioning the cost between the governing bodies interested. In the meantime, a punt was provided to frery traffic across the river, but which has not proved satisfactory to settlers and the travelling public. Mr. J. Lin Ida ter M.P., has been in receipt of numerous complaints from settlers in reference to the delay in constructing the new bridge and last week had a lengthy interview with the highway authorities on the subject.

Speaking to our representative on the subject yesterday, Mr. Linklater said that tiie cause of delay was due, in a measure, to t ho tardiness of the Foxton and Shannon Borough Councils in consenting to their apportionment, of the cost. Until this was definitely settled progress was delayed. This point has now been settled and Mr. Hammy informed Mr. Linklater that, bis report would be Submitted to. ( the Board without delay and that there was every prospect of the work being proceeded with at an early date.