The Proposed New Bridge Railings

- Sun 24th Mar 2002

If ever there was an issue which might justify the suggestion of the correspondent calling himself loneghan.doyle that we should march to emphasise the strength of our feelings, it is that of the proposed new railings on the bridge...I am very pleased to see that Councillor Gordon Erlebach has taken up the cudgels with Hampshire County Council, on our behalf.




For those who are unaware of this outrage, the proposal is that the current railings will be replaced with 1.47m high (about 4ft 9inch) parapets that 'conform to current standards'. HCC state that the new parapets will not completely obscure the views from the bridge.




They will consist of vertical rectangular posts and three metal rails, with vertical infill bars between the two lower rails. There will be 100mm (about 4 inch) gaps between the infill bars.




Effectively, this will mean that we look forward to a screened corridor when crossing the bridge, blocking our view of Chichester and Langstone Harbours, and the sight from afar of an ugly steel strip, replacing the current attractive and picturesque bridge.




We know that better alternatives are available, without reducing the safety level of the construction and so exhort all Islanders robustly to express their views on what could be a major 'cause celebre' for the Island. The bridge is a tourist attraction and the crossing of it on a daily basis a souce of pleasure for most Islanders, because of the views it provides. It should not be subject to 'goods yard' architecture and design.


As mentioned at the beginning of this piece, it is a cause for which I would personally be prepared to march in protest, from the bridge to the Council offices in Winchester. Their design cannot be allowed to prevail, no matter what the changes to their budget. This is a once and only opportunity to change the plan before the shutters go up for ever.




Hayling Island Residents' Association will naturally be pursuing this issue with due diligence. Consult www.haylingisland.net/hira for progress.




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By forum user, PaulFisher