Re: ‘Another $1m for cycle trail' (The Weekend Sun, December 2). I believe the proposed design and cost of this cycle bridge is an extravagance and the whim of senior staff at the Western Bay of Plenty District Council. Earlier this year I attended two community meetings in Omokoroa where details of the planned cycleway between here and Tauranga were announced and later updated. The senior council staff member who made the announcement with great enthusiasm described the intended grandiose design of the bridge, and stated it would cost about $4 million. He also stated the bridge would be illuminated at night and motorists driving over the traffic bridge would see this and immediately want to use the cycleway. This would appear to be another example of council staff willing to spend ratepayers' and other people's money without due care or any fiscal responsibility. I now note the cost of the Bridge has risen to an estimated $6.5m and Transport Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges is incredibly excited. Pity that part of this excitement could not be directed towards urgently making the Omokoroa-State Highway 2 intersection safer and by approving a bypass for Katikati? Are these council people trying to emulate the Millau Viaduct in France with the design of this bridge? Why not attach the cycleway crossing to the existing Wairoa traffic bridge providing this bridge is structurally suitable to do this. Very much cheaper and no impact on the landscape or environment. A new four-lane bridge is to be constructed as part of the Tauranga Northern Link but this would appear to be located much further up the river to be a viable option. No doubt the $6.5m price tag will increase should the proposed cycle bridge be built.

K Goddard, Omokoroa.