Decision appealed. Bridge fenced off for safety reasons.
The Onehunga Enhancement Society (TOES) has appealed to the Environment Court against the recent resource consent decision for a new Mangere pedestrian and cyclist bridge.
The current bridge, which the NZTA says is unsafe, is to be demolished, and a new structure built in its place.
Among its six points of appeal, TOES disagrees with the NZTA’s proposed bridge design. They are asking NZTA to amend the design, to include a lifting span for boats to pass through to the upper harbour. If this could be achieved, access to the upper harbour, not previously possible due to the low clearance of the current bridge, would “provide better community and business opportunities”.
They also say there needs to be more coordination and long term planning around each of the large projects proposed for the Onehunga area; these include the East West motorway link, Panuku Auckland’s transformation project in and around Onehunga and its port, as well as the proposed rail link to the airport.
The Environment Court’s appeal process means that it could take up to six months for a decision to be reached. While they wait for a consent decision to be made, the NZTA, which says the outer edges of the bridge show “ongoing deterioration”, is building a temporary fence on either side of the central walkway. This will “continue to provide walking and cycling access, while removing weight off the outer sections of the bridge.” It also provides two bays, to allow access to the edge of the bridge for fishing.
