Cr Steve Morris (The Weekend Sun, page 14, May 26) pointed out the escalating costs of the cycle bridge yet to be built over the Wairoa River. I think he made a mistake in questioning that it would be iconic. Surely everyone must have meant that it would be ironic. It would be ironic to build a crooked bridge 100 metres upstream from an existing perfectly straight bridge. A bridge that has so far accommodated a clip-on sewage pipeline and clip-on light stands, and has a perfectly good walkway too. As a local cyclist it would be ironic to spend $7 million on a bridge when there is a crying need for even the tiniest consistent berm along the adjoining Te Puna Station Rd. That would be a godsend.

It would be ironic to spend $7 million on a cycle bridge when there isn't even the remotest safe access for pedestrians from Bethlehem to get to the existing bridge. Clearly a case of prestige before need.

K Youngman, Te Puna.