The bridge had been fenced off on Monday. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Some Wellingtonians are dismayed that the council has closed a bridge linking the city to sea.
The bridge which sits over Jervois Quay is set to be demolished, but locals have been protesting the decision and had hoped to save it.
On Monday, locals discovered the bridge fenced off with contractors in high-vis on-site.
Victoria Quade, who remembers the City to Sea bridge being built, said one contractor on-site told her the bridge had been closed to remove the artwork on it in preparation for demolition.
Wellington City Council said while it was putting up fences it was not demolishing the bridge or removing artwork today.
The City to Sea Bridge has been closed but the council said it was not demolishing the bridge today. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Calls for demolition decision to be deferred
Council candidate Paula Muollo, who last week organised a protest against the demolition, was also down at the bridge on Monday morning and was disappointed by the council fencing off the area.
She said the decision showed it was clear the council was not listening to residents.
Muollo is frustrated the council is pushing ahead with the demolition so close to local body elections and not leaving it in the hands of the next council.
Helene Ritchie chairs the Wellington Civic Trust which attempted to take legal action against the council to prevent the demolition.
She is calling on the council to call an urgent extraordinary meeting to "defer the demolition of all or part of the bridge and associated structures, and any preparation".
She said it would be "outrageous" if the council were already removing artwork from the bridge and effectively "vandalism".
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