$1million Footbridge Being Planned

COUNCIL’S Scone revitalisation committee are planning to build a $1 million pedestrian footbridge at Kingdon Street.

See photos below.

In April’s committee meeting Mayor Wayne Bedggood asked for a progress report and was told discussions were underway with the Australian Rail Track Corporation and Transport for New South Wales.

The Kingdon Street crossing near Coles where Council’s revitalisation committee would like a $1million footbridge.

Councillor Sue Abbott, who regularly uses the crossing was unaware the Committee were considering a footbridge and said she questioned why it would be needed and thought $1 million could be much better spent on other things community.

“I think it is ludicrous,” said Cr Abbott.

“Yet again we are forgetting about people with scooters, the elderly, people in wheelchairs, who is going to walk over a footbridge, who is it for exactly?” she questioned.

“In the time I’ve been cycling through the crossing I very, very rarely have passed anybody, so the foot traffic is quite spaced out, it is seriously not a busy thoroughfare,” she said.

“If they are worried about pedestrain safety then they could simply have gates that automatically shut, they have them on other crossings.

“There are underpasses, but again, the cost of that would be considerable and I just don’t think it is needed,” she said.

“But how will elderly and people with disabilities use a footbridge?” she questioned.

“I suppose then they could put in a lift, which is just becoming too silly for words,” Cr Sue Abbott said.

Related story: Progress on Scone’s Revitalisation