The closure of the Causeway during last week's winter storms sparked a lively debate in yesterday's Senate meeting.

Opposition Sen. Suzann Roberts Holshouser raised the issue during the motion to adjourn.

"We still have heavy buses going over that small bridge," she said. "So basically what I am saying is not necessarily about the closure of the bridge but the structural integrity of the bridge. Are we driving to a replacement? I think it would be very important. We're out of hurricane season and it's been closed twice."

United Bermuda Party Sen. Jeanne Atherden agreed: "All I am saying is that we have to look at this and try to come up with some long-term solution. It's starting to happen more frequently."

Government Senate Leader David Burch chairs the Emergency Measures Organisation, the body that determined the Causeway should be closed.

He said: "Let me just say that the memory of people in this Country, it never ceases to amaze me in relation to the bridge.

"The protocol for closing the Causeway is dictated by the direction of the winds i.e. cross winds. And so the minister responsible, we rely on the expertise of the Bermuda Weather Service which is ably headed by Dr. [Mark] Guishard."

The Causeway is shut when the BWS predicts the winds will be 50 knots or more, Sen. Burch said.

"Until we get a new one, that's the protocol," he added.

Progressive Labour Party Sen. Marc Bean gave his support.

"This topic that we're speaking of is foolishness that we're sitting here discussing safety. How could you have the bridge closed and the airport open? The airport still has to be open even if it's windy.

"Each aircraft has a cross wind component. They can fly in a cross wind up to a certain extent. As the Minister said, this is about safety. We would rather, as a Government, inconvenience people instead of you running up into our faces accusing us of being irresponsible."

Opposition Senate Leader Michael Dunkley said: "I heard my colleagues question where are we going from here. I didn't hear them questioning safety. We can't predict the weather. We can't predict acts of God but we can plan better for the future.

"I haven't heard a plan from the Government about what we're going to do to fix it. The airport is our lifeline. The Causeway is our lifeline.

Sen. Dunkley also spoke about the potential cost if Government delays improvements further.

"I don't want excuses. The longer we wait, the more it's going to cost. If we look back at how frivolous we have been with public spending we should have money in the bank to build the bridge. We have got to fix the Causeway. It's ridiculous to think that there's no plan out there."

Government Sen. Walton Brown added: "I feel compelled to speak on this issue.

"The bridge has been closed sporadically for short periods over time. Yes it's an inconvenience but it's the primary concern for safety. I can't believe that we are here discussing this issue."