“SHANNON-FOXTON BRIDGE.

Shannon News, 3 September 1926, Page 3

“SHANNON-FOXTON BRIDGE.

REASON OF- DELAY IN ERECTION

The delay in commencing the erection of the Shannon-Foxton bridge, which is of vital importance to. Sliannon, has aroused considerable indignation in Shannon, the result being that on Tuesday, Mr A. E Hyde, President of the Shannon Chamber of Commerce, got into* telephonic communication with the clerk of the Horowhenua Couny Council, to ascertain if he could inform him what was holding the work up. He replied that his Council had heard nothing, and although the plans of the bridge had been out some time, his Council had so fai; not seen them. . Mr 'Hyde then despatched the following telegram to Mr J. Linklater, M.P.: “Considerable indignation locally on account of delay in starting bridge. Please advise position.”^ ' At Tuesday night’s meeting of the Borough Council the Mayor mentioned the matter with the result that the Council also communicated with Mr Linklater. On Wednesday afternoon. Mr Hyde received the following reply from Mr Linklater: “Have to-day made enquiries with regard to progress of blatters in connection with the .Shannon bridge. Find that on account of great cost of wooden span in bridge, the Highway Board have decided to build in steel. New plans have had to be prepared; also new design for bridge. As soon as this is completed, Work should no. longer be delayed.” TEMPORARY SPAN TO BE URGED. At the Shannon Chamber of Commerce meeting last evening on the motion of the President it was decided to urge the local bodies interested, together with the Shannon Dairy Co., and the. member for the district, to co-operate with a view to pointing out to the Highway Board the advantages of erecting a temporary span on the old bridge arid thus do away with the punt. The President said that in the past one of the arguments against a temporary span had been that a portion of The timber of the old bridge would be used for the new bridge. Now this will not be required if the bridge is to be erecte/1 in steel. He pointed outthat the cost of working the punt over a period of three years would be more than the cost of the temporary span. Up to now the punt has failed to give the required service.