The Southland District Council (SDC) will review feedback from the three meetings held last week over the closure of three bridges in the region before any further decisions can be made on their future.

The meetings were held to discuss the structural state of bridges at Channel Road in Springhills, Evans Road near Tisbury and Mataura Island-Titiroa.

All three bridges were closed within the last 18 months due to lack of funding for maintenance and repairs, as well as concerns over "the structural capacity of the bridges".

SDC strategic manager of transport Hartley Hare said all meetings were well attended and that all feedback received was currently being reviewed.

"Understandably and expectantly people would like to see their local bridges repaired or replaced. A key point for Council is making people aware this is not a short-term issue and there is a significant amount of work going to be required on bridges in the coming years, let alone other infrastructure."

Mr Hare said one of the ideas put forward to be reviewed was that of a 'gantry idea', which suggested keeping the bridge open to only light vehicles and constructing a "hoop-like system" to prevent larger vehicles from driving over it.

Advocate South

He said the extent of repairs to each individual bridge would be considered so that an "informed decision can be made", with some bridges needing further structural assessment to assess further options.

Mataura Island resident Lisa Olive attended the Mataura Island-Titiroa bridge meeting on Friday and said the council had promised to communicate better with residents over the future of the bridge.

She said she was relieved to have finally had an opportunity to speak out about her concerns but felt like nothing was fully resolved over the issue.

"We want our bridge back in use, our daily lives back. It may not seem like a big thing in the scheme of things but this bridge is used constantly by the locals and recreational users and businesses." 

Mrs Olive said she would be constantly updating the council over any issues that arise from detours put in place, which many residents have complained about over 

safety concerns.