08 March 2017

Latest on the Wooden Bridge Restoration - Woodbridge Island

The Wooden Bridge - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
The Wooden Bridge - Photo Copyright: Vernon Chalmers
New: Visual Update of the Wooden Bridge April 2019

The last update I made regarding the possible restoration of the wooden bridge, Woodbridge Island was on 1 May 2016.

Today, in the Tabletalk newspaper (8 March 2017), as the front page article 'Bridge passes another hurdle - Restoration plan gets heritage nod.' residents gets another update on this drawn out matter.

According to the Tabletalk, Heritage Western Cape (HWC) has approved the City of Cape Town's plan to restore Woodbridge Island's historic wooden bridge after the presentation of a report in favour of an expected project cost of R30 million.

It is estimated construction period project will take approximately 12 months to complete according to Brett Herron, City of Cape Town mayoral committee member for transport and urban development.

The Tabletalk article reference HWC committee member Mike Scurr to say that the bridge needed to 'adapt and find a contemporary meaning' Mr Scurr, an architect from Rennie Scurr Adendorf Architects, a firm specialising in the conservation and restoration of historic buildings and precincts is working in partnership with Bergstan South Africa Consulting and Development Engineers, which is representing the City, as the applicant for the proposed restoration project.

Its also stated in the Tabletalk article that various people have questioned the restoration project and the historic value of the bridge. Some residents also feeling that the funds could be used for more useful purposes - such as poverty alleviation in the area.

The article furthermore points out the ongoing debate in terms of the restoration project costing and the longer term utility value by the article's closing statement by Bouwe van der Eems, vice chairman of the Milnerton Central Residents' Association " It can be argued that the Woodbridge area has potential to become a magnificent public space similar to Mouille Point. If this potential is unlocked, the area can become a popular destination for tourists, holiday-makers and residents creating business opportunities and jobs that will exceed the cost of restoring the wooden bridge.'

News Source: Tabletalk (Wed 8 March 2017)

Previous posts regarding the Restoration of the Wooden Bridge

Update: Restoration of the wooden bridge, Woodbridge Island
Update: Restoration of the wooden bridge, Woodbridge Island

Restoration of the Wooden Bridge, Woodbridge Island

Restoration of the Wooden Bridge, Woodbridge Island


Woodbridge Island Bridges, Milnerton Cape TownWoodbridge Island Bridges, Milnerton Cape Town

Milnerton Lighthouse Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

The Wooden Bridge - Woodbridge Island, Cape Town
The Wooden Bride Woodbridge Island / Cape Town - Image Copyright: Vernon Chalmers


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From 1897 - 1980 History of Milnerton

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