Queenstown's historic Skippers Bridge closed due to safety risk

Queenstown's historic Skippers Bridge is closed after failures were found in support cables.

On Monday, Queenstown Lakes District Council announced cars, cyclists, and pedestrians were banned from crossing the bridge until further notice due to the risk.

The crossing - New Zealand's highest suspension bridge - opened in 1901 linking Queenstown to Skippers Valley and the Mount Aurum Recreation Reserve.

Roger Davidson, the council's acting general manager of property and infrastructure, said inspections carried out late last year revealed the safety concerns.

"Investigations found failures of the wires in the cables used to suspend Skippers Bridge in place, which means we've been unable to safely assess what load the bridge can currently support and its integrity," he said.

"The closure was communicated to all stakeholders at the time. Comprehensive investigations - involving work to further expose the buried sections of the cables - concluded in late December and confirmed the closure was appropriate."

The future of Skippers Bridge would be decided by elected members through the annual planning process, with community consultation on the draft plan expected to begin in March, he said.

Davidson said he knew the closure would have a significant effect on residents, tour companies and recreational users, but public safety was the priority.

He urged the public to abide by signage and barriers, and not to attempt to cross.

Tour operator will have to 'improvise'

Wolfy Ickenroth, who has been running four-wheel-drive tours in the canyon for more than two decades, said a major drawcard for many visitors was the historic schoolhouse just beyond the bridge.

"I'm called Queenstown Heritage Tours because it is about the heritage, it's about the history of Skippers, and the old schoolhouse is a museum. It has information and it's what people appreciate and what people love to come and see," he said.

His business had just renewed a 10-year concession to keep running tours in the canyon and he expected the closure would have an impact.

Ickenroth said he was concerned the council would not see the bridge as a high priority.

The road was already closed for weeks late last year after washouts, he said.

"It probably is better to do all the work in the summer months, especially when we have less rain, less slips, less damage on the road. The road is always getting hit with rainfall in the springtime. And we have seen delays and delays and delays. So the sooner they get on to this, the better," he said.

The area was also loved by locals, who came by the hundreds to use the Department of Conservation campsite across the river, Ickenroth said.

"Without being able to go across the bridge, there's no camping area. Nothing. You can't go there."

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