connect large numbers of the population to the mainland and to such facilities as the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital it is important that they should be well maintained and fully operable.

The very good news is that there is action planned for both Longbird Bridge and the Swing Bridge at the East End, both of which have had opening and closing problems and connect St. George's to the mainland. They are both old.

They are both uncertain and they cause a great deal of concern to people in terms of emergency access. Longbird Bridge is a real problem because it also connects the mainland to the Airport and can be extremely frustrating for locals and visitors alike.

More recently Somerset Bridge has been in the news because Government plans to rebuild what is so often billed as the smallest drawbridge in the world. We have no doubt that the bridge needs rebuilding and, given the traffic it endures, it has to be kept in top condition. It seems very clear that the character and use of Somerset Bridge will not change but the new bridge will be stronger and more durable.

We were somewhat surprised that there has been controversy over Government's plan to rebuild the landmark much as it is as a drawbridge. We would have understood controversy if there had been a Government plan to substantially change the bridge. Some years ago people were upset when the bridge was changed by the addition of a pedestrian walkway along the side.

Some things in Bermuda are so very Bermudian that we should always try to retain them. Somerset Bridge is a great curiosity which is photographed and painted and which appears on any number of postcards simply because it is the way it is. It is attractive and serviceable and it is very much a part of what is Bermuda.

We think that Works and Engineering Minister C.V. (Jim) Woolridge should be applauded for his Ministry's efforts to maintain the spirit of the bridge for Bermuda. We were happy to see that the four West End Progressive Labour Party MPs agree. The Opposition MPs say that the Works and Engineering plan for the bridge is a "suitable plan for the needs of the Sandys community and Bermuda in general''.

We agree with the four MPs when they say, "We recognise the history of this bridge and the tremendous attraction that it has become over the years to our tourists. We are in full agreement with the new plans...''