I attended RTA public meeting on Thursday to view the proposed pedestrian footbridge to be erected at The Spit for $3.5m.  Of the Manly residents present, none of us had been aware of this proposal previously and were totally against it. The majority  of the others from Mosman  were also totally against the idea.
Based on RTA data, removal of  the pedestrian crossing would save 32 seconds per traffic light cycle of 180 sec, if the average 90 pedestrians who
used it during peak hour (6am-10am M-F) went over the proposed footbridge instead of using the crossing.

Let's be clear here.  They are talking about removing the pedestrian crossing completely and providing a footbridge OVER the road as the only safe means of crossing the road. (The structure will have a lift for those with prams or disabilities and of course cyclist are also expected to use it.)  Get the details full details here.
This area is the 'gateway' to Manly and the Northern Beaches and yet it is to have one of our most beautiful, natural entrances blocked by a structure that anyone with common sense will soon ascertain will not be used. During peak times, the traffic is hardly moving anyway to why not just duck between the cars?  And as for the weekends - yikes, it's an accident just waiting to happen.  Please take a moment to look at the bulk of this footbridge.  While I give 10/10 to the bridge designers who have done their best to try to 'blend' it with the natural surroundings,  can't we please  review this decision now that we have a new State Government and see if it really is such a good idea after all?
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