The Editor, Sir:

Like Mr. Howard Chin (letter, October 30, 2007), I too have been reading the many letters on the "Flat Bridge problem." Mr Chin's last paragraph sums up the situation in real terms.

I, however, frequently characterise the dilemma as one which, many years ago, was seen as the best solution, to ask the river to lend us a portion of the gorge to construct a road leading to the north coast.

With the river's approval we constructed both the road and bridge. But every year, the river reclaims what it has lent us, and, in order to do its job properly, takes back the road and bridge with enough force and volume to convince us not to meddle in its affairs for the time being.

Solution

The practical solution is to let the river have its way, physically close the gorge with a barrier to deter the foolhardy, and, when the river has done its job, we clean up and resume the borrowing arrangement until the next flood rains.

Naturally, the long-term solution rests with us, not the river. We must create a reliabl route without tempting nature to the same extent.

I am, etc.,

DONALD DRAYTON

P.O. Box 27

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