A proposed pedestrian bridge over Bailey’s Bay has been approved despite several objections from residents.

The bridge is intended to create a new amenity by linking sections of the Railway Trail, but some residents expressed concern the proposal would prove an eyesore and reduce privacy for those who live next to the trail.

While the plans for the bridge were submitted by the Department of Parks, the project will be funded through private donations through the assistance of the Friends of the Bermuda Railway Trail.

Tucker Murphy, a spokesman for the group, said in September that the bridge would create a 3.2km unbroken path which will increase the usage of the eastern end of the historic trail.

He said the completed project would not only encourage exercise but carry cultural and tourism value, noting that it links numerous historical sites and boasts fantastic views of the area.

However the application received a total of nine objections with a list of complaints. Main areas of concern listed by the objectors included the negative visual impact of the bridge, increased noise and activity caused by people using the trail, environmental impact and increased illegal activity.

As a result of the planning objections, the application was revised to reduce the visual impact on the surrounding area. Along with reducing the height of the handrails from 54in to 42in, the revised application proposed reducing the height of the pylons by two feet.

The revised plan also proposed that the bridge be raised further off the foreshore area outside of one property to allow improved access to the foreshore area beneath the bridge.

And regarding security concerns, the landscaping plan was modified to create a natural barrier of Spanish bayonette, prickly pear and natal palms where the bridge is close to residential properties to deter illegal access to the properties.

One of the objectors however reiterated her concerns, stating that the bridge would still be an eyesore and the “natural barriers” would not deter criminal activity.

“I cannot say I am reassured that the planting of prickly pears or other thorny plants will afford much security to potential break-ins at cottages,” she wrote.

A planning assessment included in the Board Report stated: “The proposed development has been kept to a practical minimum and is sensitively designed to consolidate only the areas needed to connect the Railway Trail at Winton Hill and Bailey’s Bay.

“The proposal is considered reasonable and will provide a new amenity to the community.”

During a meeting of the Planning Board earlier this week, Board members questioned if the addition of the bridge could cause waste dumping in the area, but the technical officers responded that increased foot traffic would mean more people to report any infractions and actually deter illegal dumping.