Council has voted to send a letter to Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to request an urgent replacement of hand railing along both sides of the Kempsey bridge along with a refurbishment of the paint work.
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The bridge is the main thoroughfare of traffic to and from the central Kempsey business area and connects east and west Kempsey.
It was constructed in 1959 and hasn’t been re-painted since the 1980’s.
Councillor Leo Hauville put the motion to council requesting that the RMS undertake an assessment of the bridge, it’s paintwork and the unsafe hand rails along the bridge.
Councillor Mark Baxter agreed with Cr Hauville on the issue of the hand rails.
“In no way is that railing providing safety measures for pedestrians,” Cr Baxter said.
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Councillor Anthony Patterson agreed that this issue needs to be fixed.
“New railings would provide more safety and would need to be updated on both sides of the bridge,” Cr Patterson said.
The average life-span of bridge paint is twenty years, putting the Kempsey bridge past it’s refurbishment due date and closer to the 30 year mark.
Cr Hauville added that the pealing paint on the bridge is an eye-sore in the town.
“It’s not a good look for Kempsey,” Cr Hauville said.
General Manager Craig Milburn said the RMS’ plans for re-painting are years away.
“RMS are planning to undertake strengthening work of specific elements in the next 2 years, however any plans for painting the bridge are in excess of 10 years away,” Mr Milburn said.
Council hope to bring to the RMS’ attention the urgent need for upgraded pedestrian handrails as well as a re-painting refurbishment that is overdue.
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