Warning over tampering with bridge barriers
Southland District mayor Gary Tong says any people caught removing barriers at closed bridges throughout the province should be punished accordingly.
Tong said there has been reports from council staff and the public about people removing barriers at both the Mataura Island Titiroa and Benmore bridges and crossing.
A report was presented at the Southland District Council meeting on Thursday which outlined the closure of five bridges, while another bridge – Mararoa Bridge – has been closed to heavy vehicles.
The five that have been closed are the Mataura Island Titiroa Bridge, the Welsh Road East Bridge, Channel Road Bridge and the Evans Road Bridge.
Council staff said with the current budget availability, council could not afford to continue replacing and maintaining all structures because of the sheer number and the cost involved.
The decision to close the bridges has been met with some angst from the various effected communities.
At the meeting, Tong said people needed to respect that there was a very good reason why the bridges were closed.
‘‘We are not closing these for money reasons, we are closing them for safety,’’ he said.
‘‘One of the big issues I’ve seen is people are removing barriers and going across these bridges.
‘‘It is an offence under the Transport Act, they should be charged appropriately.
‘‘It’s punishable by imprisonment, that’s how serious the Government sees this type of thing.’’