$1 million better spent

I too (see letters in previous editions) was surprised to see the footbridge concept for Brisbane Water Dr on the front page of the Peninsula News.

As a new resident in the area with many years as a safety-engineering consultant, I immediately questioned what risk was being addressed by this bridge.

Generally, there is a risk reduction-cost benefit analysis done before a project like this, ie how many bikers-walkers use the route per day versus cost to protect them.

On visiting the RTA office, no one could show me such a study.

I pointed out the there is already a disused footpath on the west side of the road which could be eliminated and the traffic lanes jogged slightly to make room for a footpath on the eastern side of the road, complete with sturdy traffic barrier, negating the need for a separate $1 million bridge.

However, I was told the concept is to provide two paths one each side of the road!

Those of you who frequently cross the causeway must surely find the need for two paths questionable.

I noted some months ago a notice on the Woy Woy ferry stop shelter that a certain government agency was discouraging the use of the public wharf, to the detriment of the Woy Woy businesses.

Certainly, $1 million could better be spent making the working dock and public wharf more useful, or providing lights on the Kariong-Gosford hill.

Tim Bard Phegans Bay