A Bridge Too Far?
Posted in News under Adur | on Mar 18 2010
FAQ: Will the existing footbridge remain open whilst the new bridge is built?
“Inevitably there will be some time during construction of the replacement bridge when the crossing will be unavailable. An estimate cannot easily be given yet and will be determined by several things including safety, cost and the design of the new bridge. The project team including the contractors will work together to minimise disruption caused during the construction of the new bridge.” (Connect2 - Shoreham Harbour Bridge Replacement Stakeholder Briefing Note No.3 October 2009)
Translated, that means, “NO!”
The £5 million plus scheme for replacing Shoreham’s historic footbridge is causing rising alarm on both sides of the River Adur. Of course, a gleaming bridge for the future would be welcome, and one day imperative. But what is its real price, in human as well as financial terms? And is it worth paying?
The information made publicly available appears to be intentionally sketchy and out of date.
The present four options have greatly different cost implications, from the simple, non-opening, structure on the existing site - the cheapest, to an opening bridge built alongside - the most expensive, but there is no indication of how each would be reconciled with the £5 million plus estimated budget.
Does even this aspirational costing contain a provision for the ‘some form of temporary travel arrangements’ for the 3000 or so residents of the Beach, and the great number from the mainland who take advantage of Shoreham’s main attraction?
The budget is already, before we start, at least £1 million light. Additional funding is ‘being sought’. You bet! One way or another, a huge and unknown amount of public funds (i.e. our money) will be swallowed by this ambitious infrastructure project. Presumably there’s been a rigorous cost benefit analysis. Shouldn’t it be freely available for us, the public, to examine? What would be the lifespan of the existing bridge if it were to be fully and continuously maintained? What would be the cost of a major renovation, and how far could that extend its working life?
When the promised consultations take place, will questions such as these be put:
1. Would you accept being cut off from the Town/the Beach, at least for weeks, but probably for months?
2. Do you consider that a basic requirement of ANY scheme should be to keep a crossing open at all times during the construction of a new bridge?
At the moment, there’s little indication of the real final cost. The tangible benefits are speculative. The only near certainty is that the existing proposals have accepted, as a given, massive and prolonged disruption to the lives of thousands of our residents.
It’s time to come clean.