So the proposed iconic – a word more often used historically – Wairoa river cycle bridge has been canned because of a cost blowout to an iconic estimate of over $12 million. What started off as a brief of under $3 million to engineers to submit plans for a cycle bridge ended up becoming a fantasy.

For goodness sake, we only need a safe cycle bridge across a pretty country river along a stimulating, pleasurable cycle trail. Maybe a Maori carving arching over the entrance of a necessary new stand-alone $3 million affordable bridge, in reverence to the river, would add a striking cultural dynamic and if really praiseworthy it may eventually become iconic.

The doomed bridge design was the only one submitted that did not have piles included, which now seems an essential earthquake structural factor. So what were the other designs like that did comply with the brief and which were not shown to the public?

Incidentally, council and sponsors don't seem to be paying attention to our expanding housing programmes like Papamoa that cry out for more additional, inclusive and inspired children's playgrounds and more trees – there are some fine examples in Australia. The adage ‘We survive in spite of them rather than because of them' still applies to a degree.

D Wilson, Mount Maunganui.