A movement to save Stroy’s Bridge seems to be gaining support, both in the local community and on Puslinch council.
“I don’t even want to consider removing it anymore,” councillor Dick Visser said on Sept. 16.
The current environmental assessment was started because safety concerns meant the bridge – which spans the Speed River on a closed portion of Sideroad 10 about one kilometre north of Laird Road West – was viewed as liability.
But, Visser said, the bridge also has to be viewed as an asset.
He has commented before on the natural beauty of the area and the importance the bridge had for walking and nature enthusiasts before it was closed last year.
Amanda Pepping, of Gamsby and Mannerow Engineers told council “numerous comments” of a similar nature were received from local residents as part of the environmental assessment.
“In general, there appears to be a fair amount of opposition from area residents relating to loss of pedestrian access to hiking trails,” Pepping said in her Sept. 16 report to council.
Of seven comments included in Peeping’s report, six were opposed to the removal of the bridge.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer said he would like the environmental assessment to include all options for the bridge, ranging from removal, to rebuilding it into a vehicular bridge to turning it into a permanent pedestrian bridge.
Clerk Brenda Law said she understands the thinking, but stressed the assessment was ordered based on the removal of the structure only.
Mayor Brad Whitcombe suggested having Pepping or Hans Groh come to council to explain the process and provide an update for councillors. The rest of council agreed.
