A footbridge too far

The wooden footbridge at the harbour end of Clarence St is a 90-year-old reminder of a gentler time. It’s a historic structure that links North Harbour St and Wellings Reserve and it’s part of the Manly to Spit Bridge Scenic Walkway, which attracts almost 200,000 people a year. 

But it's future is hanging by a thread.

Manly Council closed the footbridge in December after it was found to be structurally unsound.  Scaffolding has been put up, but no repair work has been done.

Locals are furious, saying the bridge has had no maintenance work done on it for years, despite them  repeatedly asking the council to act. 

Now the bridge is closed "indefinitely" while the Council looks at funding options to repair, or entirely replace it. 

While Council GM Henry Wong has proposed replacing the bridge with a steel structure, residents say that's not the right fit for the pretty bushland spot. 

Manly Councillors overwhelmingly agree. When the bridge was discussed at this week's Council meeting, councillors asked Mr Wong to investigate using timber for the  replacement work.   We'll keep you posted.

---