Anger and frustration being felt by the Hakataramea and Kurow communities over closure of the twin bridges across the Waitaki River is also being felt by Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean who yesterday backed fast-tracking new bridges.
Mrs Dean said the replacement of the 129-year-old bridges had been "left on the back burner", echoing comments made at a meeting at Hakataramea on Sunday night from some of up to 150 people there.
Mrs Dean also supported a unanimous motion from the meeting calling on her and the Waitaki and Waimate District Councils to get Minister of Transport Steven Joyce to fast-track the two-lane bridges.
Their construction, estimated to cost $15 million, is scheduled to start next year and be finished by 2014, but that depends on the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) getting resource consents and funding.
In the meantime, the bridges have been closed by flood flows in the river which have damaged at least one pier.
When they will reopen will depend on an assessment of the damage once the river falls to about 500cumecs.
"Everybody who ever used that vital link has known it was extremely susceptible to the type of damage it has now incurred.
What we all knew would eventually happen has occurred," Mrs Dean said.
Both the Waitaki and Waimate district councils had lobbied for years to get them replaced.
That had been supported by the community on both sides of the river, road users and Mrs Dean.
"We all have thick files relating to this matter," she said.
Mrs Dean was not sure if a petition would be necessary but if the community wanted it, she would support it.
If necessary, she too would call a meeting in Kurow.
"I understand the communities' frustrations.
"I have tried to get hold of Land Transport authorities myself and haven't been able to get through to them.
"I want Land Transport to get this project under way without delay," she said.
Mr Joyce will meet NZTA officials, Mrs Dean and Waimate District Council chief executive Tony Alden and councillor Peter McIlraith (Hakataramea Board councillor) at Parliament this afternoon, to discuss the situation.
