Historic bridge to stay closed for a while yet

One of the country's most visually appealing and oldest suspension bridges is likely to stay closed to all traffic, including pedestrians, for some time as the hunt begins for funds to make it safe.

The Clifden Suspension Bridge at Tuatapere in Southland, was closed last month when engineers found it needed repairs likely to cost around $400,000.

The wooden bridge was built in 1899 over the Waiau River from totara and Australian hardwood. The concrete towers on either side of the river were made to look like stone and the bridge was held up by 28 steel cables.

It had been closed to vehicular traffic since 1988 but Paul McGahan from the New Zealand Historic Places Trust in Southland, said it was now no longer considered safe for foot traffic after an inspection by engineers last month.

The bridge was the longest wooden suspension bridge in the country and Mr McGahan said it would be repaired by the trust, and not demolished.

"It is far from a write-off and we are very keen to work with the community to get it reopened."

He said there was no danger of the bridge collapsing but a lot of work needed to be done before repairs could begin.

The trust would try to repair the bridge using similar timbers but that was not always possible and modern timber might have to be used, he said.

The closure angered locals and there had been talk by some of using bolt cutters to cut down the barriers keeping people off.

The bridge attracted many visitors from New Zealand and overseas and many couples had been married or had their wedding photographs taken at the bridge.