Trail-run group formulates plans to repair Virginia Bush’s reserve bridges

THERE is some good news for the Virginia Bush Nature Reserve as funds raised from a recent trail run will be put towards repairing some of the foot bridges damaged by last year’s floods.

Community stalwart and long-time member of Riverside Trail, Buzz Bolton, said members of the club hope to repair two bridges used by trail runners and residents in the area.

The 38-hectare reserve was adversely affected by the floods last year, resulting in wash-aways and damage to bridges and several trails in the area.

At a recent public meeting with members of the eThekwini Municipality, Bolton raised several questions on when repairs would be carried out.

Also read: Bird hide at Virginia Bush Nature Reserve given makeover

While officials could not answer, Bolton and members of the club, as well as custodians of the reserve, Friends of Virginia Bush, put forward their idea to facilitate the repairs.

“It was great because we were able to speak to the people who installed the bridges initially. The reserve has more than five bridges, and our plan is to use the money raised from the trail run at the end of last year to repair two of them. Two of the bridges have lost their foundations and aren’t that safe for people accessing the reserve. There is also one bridge in the middle bush which was completely washed away, but we have built a way around for trail runners to get across. It definitely is a positive outcome,” he said.

Bolton also praised the work of local resident Michaela Geytenbeek, who runs the Kinship Programme, for also working on fundraising to help repair the bridges.

“Our hope is by the end of June that we would have the two bridges fully repaired.”

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