Have your say and tie a yellow ribbon on the overbridge

The Wakefield St bridge action group is asking for supporters to tie a yellow ribbon to the rail overbridge. Photo/Stuart Munro

Supporters of the Wakefield St overbridge have lifted their campaign a notch in a novel and highly visible way.

From tomorrow for the next fortnight, people are being urged to tie a yellow ribbon to the bridge, a symbolic gesture sometimes associated with a protest.

Ed Eyre, a spokesperson for the action group spearheading the retention of the Wanganui East bridge, said this was just another stage in the community campaign.

The action has been sparked by a decision by the Wanganui District Council to shelve $1.8 million in funding for a replacement bridge.

The current structure already carries significant weight and speed restrictions but the council proposal is to close the bridge to all but cycle and pedestrian traffic.

But since that news broke, there has been a strong reaction from residents in Wanganui East and the surrounding district.

Mr Eyre said they had been "absolutely thrilled" with the response of commuters.

Volunteers from the group spent last Thursday, Friday and most of Saturday handing out submission forms to cars using the bridge.

"So many people asked for forms that we had to do a reprint on Saturday morning," he said.

There had been a broad spread of age and comments among bridge users while others had made special trips to the Wanganui East Club to collect a form, he added.

"People from all over town are showing their interest and support. It really is uniting the community.

"One lady stopped to chat and said that her shopping and entertainment habits would likely change if the bridge were to close. Currently her and her family head into the central city via the bridge and Ikitara Rd and go to Taupo Quay and Trafalgar Square to shop.

"But she said if the bridge closes, the most direct route for her will be to travel over the Dublin St Bridge, so she will probably end up spending most of her time and money in the top end of the Avenue.

"I'm surprised that not more people are concerned about the knock-on effects of this bridge closing. It really is everyone's issue," Mr Eyre said.

He said the yellow ribbon campaign was the next step and the action group was asking supporters to tie a ribbon to the bridge from tomorrow until April 26.

"You could even tie a ribbon around your car aerial. But let's the council that this bridge is a necessity for everyone in both the local and in the wider Wanganui community."