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People interested in preserving the Kopu Bridge are meeting this week to discuss the issue as there is concern it will be demolished.
Speakers at the meeting will be from Thames-Coromandel District Council, Hauraki District Council, NZ Transport Authority and the Historic Places Trust.
The new Kopu Bridge has made the old one, pictured left, redundant.
Save Kopu Bridge spokesperson Kim Buchanan says TCDC public documents frequently acknowledge the importance to ‘celebrate and protect our heritage’.
“We call on them now to honour this and consult with the public and other stakeholders to allow the bridge to continue to be used by pedestrians and cyclists as a jewel in the crown heritage experience and as an iconic starting journey of the Hauraki Rail Trail.”
Kim says the Kopu Bridge is the last remaining operational swing bridge in New Zealand, as well as being the longest span bridge.
It has the highest possible heritage status, ‘category one’, which is a ranking not given lightly and indicative of its important regional and national significance, says Historic Places Trust spokesperson Robin Byron.
A petition signed by over 700 people is available for people to sign and show their support at the Thames School of Mines.
The meeting is being held at the Thames South School hall on February 25, from 2-3pm.
Posted on 20-02-2012 11:31 | By Candy Clark
If the hysteric places trust wants to keep it tell them to BUY it and service, staff and maintain it. At a roading cost/km of $15m plus bridge structure they should be able to afford it by about 2212. The cycle trail could start with the bridge swing, for a wet and wild Hauraki Gulf Experience....I can just see the advertising now!!