Bridge project and called for new laws to scrutinise public building programmes.

The Trust Council claimed Bermudians were "horrified'' that a temporary roadway was built to carry traffic during the works period, instead of a Bailey bridge as planned.

And the Council accused Government of a "reactionary'' approach to the project, adding that it had "probably already caused serious irreversible damage to the marine environment''.

The fierce criticisms were made in the latest issue of Trust News, the National Trust's newsletter.

It emerged that the Trust Council had already written to Premier Pamela Gordon, calling for tighter laws governing public building projects.

The newsletter added: "The Trust Council is extremely concerned about the handling of the project to repair Somerset Bridge.

"A letter has been sent to the Premier urging that legislation be considered to ensure future government projects undergo the same scrutiny as private building undertakings. This would include advertising the proposal, review by the Development Applications Board and input from the appropriate statutory bodies such as the Marine Resources Board.

"This kind of disclosure would allow for the input which was clearly missing in this instance.'' Trust Council members also asked the Premier for reassurance that the Somerset waterway -- filled with boulders in a $140,000 emergency plan -- would be cleared once work to rebuild the drawbridge had finished.

The members' newsletter added: "Bermudians have been horrified to see the creation of this substantial roadway, when we had earlier been assured that a Bailey bridge would be used during the works period.

"The Trust understands that the bridge needs repair but we deplore Government's reactionary approach to this project, which has probably already caused serious irreversible damage to the marine environment in the vicinity of the bridge.

"It should have been properly planned, making provision for an environmental impact study.'' Works and Engineering officials reassured Trust members that constant checks were being made to test marine conditions They have also pledged to consult the Trust before moving the temporary roadway, in a bid to minimise damage to nearby waters.

Workmen discovered rotten joists when they removed old hardwood from the bridge last month.

Works and Engineering Minister C.V. (Jim) Woolridge said much of the wood crumbled into powder when it was lifted from the bridge, with other joists being rotten to the core.

"It was in a critical state,'' he said. "It was very dangerous, I don't know what people are getting excited about, we are doing what is right for the public.'' Engineers will reinforce the bridge by replacing the joists with concrete and steel. The road surface will be a new tar which has already been used at a site in St. George's.

Repairs are due to end by July 12 and Mr. Woolridge has promised that the temporary causeway will be dismantled -- and the entire area landscaped.

He also said the causeway had to be built because of technical problems with the Bailey bridge, and appealed for drivers to use extreme caution.

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