Singleton Council’s director assets and facilities Gary Thomson attended a public meeting last Thursday and addressed a group of around 50 people on the progress with the bridge.

Broke Fordwich Tourism Association secretary Mike Wilson said the announcement that preliminary works are expected to begin on the bridge by Christmas was both surprising and pleasing for the community.

“This is good news for tourism operators as is the expectation that works on the bridge could be completed as early as May next year.”

The quick commencement is due to many parts of the project being conducted off site and the early stage preliminary planning having already been completed.

Mr Wilson explained that the community at the meeting also spoke about the desire to retain the timber bridge as a part of McNamara Park.

“It is an iconic part of the village,” Mr Wilson explained.

Singleton Council will undertake ongoing community consultation about the future of the timber bridge and liaise with the community about possible plans for a footbridge.