The society formed to save the 85-year-old Kopu Bridge near Thames is vowing to fight on, despite an NZTA decision that it has to go.

Gary Blake of the Historic Kopu Bridge Society says the decision by the NZ Transport Agency to ‘deconstruct' the bridge came as an unexpected blow to the society, which has spent 18 months preparing a business and management plan for the bridge.

Gary Blake of Waiomu Bay is among those vowing to fight to retain the historic Kopu Bridge.

Plans are in place to remove the 85-year-old Kopu Bridge.

'It was gut wrenching news when we were told on July 11 that our bid for retention of the bridge had failed and that destruction of the Coromandel's most famous Category 1 heritage structure was imminent.”

In late 2011 a new two-lane bridge that includes a cycle and pedestrian lane was opened meaning the old bridge is no longer part of the state highway network.

The news that it is to be demolished was delivered to some of the society's members by NZTA spokesman Harry Wilson at a meeting where the society had expected to discuss its management plan.

Instead they were told NZTA had reached the conclusion that the society's funding plan was not financially viable.

'We have reached the view that the society has either not taken into account, or sufficiently estimated the costs associated with a number of the activities required for the safe and sustainable future operation and maintenance of the bridge.

'This together with strong public feedback supporting demolition of the bridge has resulted in us reaching the decision to move to deconstruct the old bridge,” the society was further informed in a letter from NZTA region operations manager Karen Boyt.

Gary says the society understands NZTA has estimated it will cost around $4million to deconstruct the bridge, and has $3.9million set aside for the work which could take several years to complete.

'NZTA estimates it will cost more than $2.3 million in improvements and maintenance to make the bridge safe for pedestrian and cycle use and $250,000 a year to maintain and operate it.

'We dispute those figures and have civil engineers who believe it would cost $100,000 to upgrade and a maximum of $50,000 a year to operate. We say why not invest the $3.9 million for three to five years, give our society the interest to run the bridge and if at the end of that time it isn't working, then use the capital for its demolition?”

Gary believes one of the reasons locals are opposed to the bridge remaining is that they think it will have to be funded by rates, but this would not be the case.

The society's plans for the bridge include making it part of the Kaiawa Cycle Trail, opening its swing arm for special marine events, using it to stage markets, theatre and opera, and as a fishing platform.

NZTA has proposed retaining the swing arm and re-locating it on shore. Gary says that's ridiculous and would have little relevance to the bridge's past and become a target for graffiti.

The society will continue to campaign to keep the bridge by winning public support for its proposals.

Construction of the single-lane 463 metre bridge began in 1926 and it was officially opened in 1928. It consists of 23 plate girder spans with the central swing span of 42.6 m which opens to allow boats access to the upper reaches of the Waihou River.

By 2011, around 9000 vehicles used the bridge each day but this number more than doubled during holiday peaks. Its single lane was controlled by traffic lights and the long delays these caused during summer holidays gained the bridge notoriety among Auckland and Waikato holiday makers.

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