Coalfields historian Brian Andrews has called for a rethink on plans to demolish an old pedestrian footbridge at Weston.
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Mr Andrews said while the bridge had only modest heritage value it could be the first domino to fall, with a historic steam-rail water tank next to go under plans to connect the Hunter Economic Zone to Weston via Station Street.
“HEZ want to build a road through there and a level crossing so something [old] will have to go,” he said.
“If one goes, it’s likely the other will too.”
The call for a rethink comes amid renewed efforts by Cessnock City Council to demolish the rundown footbridge, if it can find the money.
Council, which owns the bridge, approved the demolition in January 2009 when HEZ Pty Ltd agreed to pay South Maitland Railways to dismantle it.
The project stalled when HEZ industrial land failed to sell, plunging the company into receivership.
“Money was an issue when [council] was trying to build [the industrial zone] and it’s the issue again,” Mr Andrews said.
The bridge was built next to the AA Co. water tank in the 1950s and was nearly 30 years in the planning.
The rail line was built in 1903 when Mr Andrews believes the water tank was installed by AA Co., a mammoth farming and mining company at the time, so steam trains could refill.
“It’s the only tank I’ve seen like that – it might be the only one left,” Mr Andrews said.
“The miners living at Weston used to break the law and cross the tracks to get to Hebburn No.1 mine,” Mr Andrews said.
“That’s why they wanted the footbridge.”
AA Co. owned five or more mines in the Newcastle area.
Plans for the footbridge were drawn up in 1928 but George Booth MLA said there was no state money available.
In the early 1950s, the plans were redrawn to span a rail siding for passenger services and the yellowing drafts reside in the Sir David Edgeworth museum at Kurri Kurri, which Mr Andrews oversees.
Money for the footbridge was secured in 1953 when Theiss won the project tender.
Austar Mine near Cessnock is the only coal company still using the South Maitland Railways line once a day at most and pedestrians now use a level crossing at Weston.
SMR manager Warren Heddley said demolition was deemed the cheapest option, but not necessarily the best.
“It’s been there all these years so another 60, 70 or 80 years wouldn’t worry us,” he said.
“We don’t mind if it stays, but we don’t want to see it fall down.”
Visit www.maitlandmercury. com.au for Marina Neil’s photo essay.
