Bridge ban angers Destiny Church

Destiny Church claims it is being discriminated against after again being refused permission to march across the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

The church and other religious groups wanted to march across the bridge on March 5 to protest against the civil union legislation and a "moral slide" in traditional family values.

Destiny Church expects 10,000 to 15,000 people on the march, which it says will go ahead regardless of whether its supporters can walk across the bridge.

Transit New Zealand repeated yesterday that it would not allow the march for safety reasons. It said the march would be "highly dangerous to the travelling public and the marchers themselves".

But Destiny pastor and march spokesman Andrew Stock said last night that safety was not the real issue.

He said organisers had told Transit they were happy to march in staggered formation to ensure the walk was safe.

"We satisfied all of their safety requirements."

The participating churches, which include Auckland Christian Life Centre, the North Shore's City Impact and several Pacific Island groups, had worked out that the march would get across the bridge in 30 minutes with minimal traffic impact.

Pastor Stock said it was unfair that participants in the annual Auckland Marathon could cross the bridge.

"If they can facilitate safety for a sporting event, then they can also do it for people walking across."

But Transit acting regional manager Richard Hancy denied discrimination. "This decision is consistent with many requests for use of the bridge."

Having pedestrians near vehicles on the harbour bridge was always problematic, he said. Swaying and damage to the structure were possible with large numbers of pedestrians.

During last year's seabed and foreshore hikoi, the bridge swayed violently as several thousand marchers crossed from north to south.

Some people turned back and police ordered those who continued to march in staggered formation to reduce the rocking.