Footbridges set to become tsunami escape route

The piles have been sunk for the construction of the second of six footbridges that will provide escape routes for Papamoa people fleeing a tsunami.

Located off Calypso Drive towards the end of Papamoa East, the bridge spanning the Wairakei Stream will remove a major obstacle for people fleeing the low lying suburb on foot.

The council has earmarked $200,000 for the footbridges as part of its tsunami response package which includes the controversial sirens.

The bridges will form a vital link along Civil Defence evacuation corridors for those who would leave their cars at home and evacuate on foot.

It would enable people to get as far away as possible from the coast in the event that Civil Defence was only able to give a short-term warning.

Tauranga City Council transportation manager Martin Parkes said there were already 20 stream crossings, including roads, between Arataki and the end of Papamoa. The footbridges would help fill the gaps along Wairakei Stream so people had a convenient escape route.