Fox RIver bridge removed December 2025

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DescriptionThe old Fox river bridge is finally gone. Caught a few whitebait underneath the north end. Seen 16 possums on it one night as a kid. I remember brother Peter jumping in to the freezing water to retrieve one . Hunting them for the bounty of two shillings and six pence . A lot of drivers found the hard right handed corner at the south end a bit too much of a test to their driving skills. Last reminder that Brighton was once a thriving community of five thousand. Too many good memories for sadness at the fate of the old girl.Date of Photo1st December 2025Map^[1]ContributorCrow Bay

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EventFox RIver bridge removed December 2025

From Facebook

CommentsJeff Powley
One of my favourite spots from way back, heading up the Fox to the ballroom.
This is an interesting read on the history of the area
May be an image of text that says 'BRIGHTON Nelson South- South-West NelsonSouth-WestGoldField West Gold Field Its Boom & Bust YS HUTEL THEATRO ROYAL PANGETINER FENELL FINNELLSTEWUT HUNTER&CO Pat Lag HUNTER Co JAAGLET LES WRIGHT'

Peter Casserly
Great times we all had there bugger it going nothing for ever is it

Kathryn Andrew
Is that the bridge at the river mouth to the sea? Sorry for the stupid question from a north islander

Kim Fentiman
Was quite tight getting a semi and trailer onto the south end

Maye Dunn
Admin
Very sorry to see it go..lots of happy memories of learning how to fish from that Bridge, jumping off it. Whitebaiting under it. 3 generations of my family have enjoyed that Bridge. Hope they put a pedestrian clip-on on the other Bridge so that it is safe to cross the river.

Tony Simpson
This is how "the Coast" derived its vast story wealth (well maybe not Facebook) but stories relayed in local pubs over time - stories like the possum story above. Heard a few like these in the Kokatahi pub a lot of years ago. Big thanks for this one too...

Les Holmes Germanicus
Yes well the Historic Fox River Bridge has been removed. We, the Society that owned it, the Friends of Fox River and Bridge Soc. Inc, are now eligible to claim to be the longest existing sustained Heritage organization at least in our region, dating from 1991. Coming up to 35 years we not only restored, renewed. had maintenance plans and carried all this out by volunteers, paid local employment, historians and a hard working core of Society members. We successfully fundraised, had engineering professionals do frequent safety checks and identify concerns the Society always quickly addressed in the interest of public safety. The Bridge decorations from 2000 and summer market days at the Bridge ran for 12 years until the Final "DO". Waitangi Day markets at the Bridge included stone driftwood and sand sculpture events and carried prizes for creations. They ran so successfully Hokitika followed with their version. In twelve years we organized maybe 45 market days over the summer period when all the flowers were at their best. The history of the Society's role in the bridge is well documented and the art and flower installations are well captured in photos. We did all this to try to get public awareness, gain support and as important, new energy and skills. In 2009 we managed to score a commendation certificate at the Trustpower Community Awards. We needed recognition and more we needed members. We tried hard but we could not meet the huge cost of repairing the rest. There is no more funding from the government for these projects anymore, but this is not the end of the story. We will follow up.

Anne Marie Leech
Spent many years at Woodpecker Bay as a child. We would jump off that bridge into the river.
Also fished for herring for Dad’s crocheted bob to go cray fishing off Seal Island.
Wonderful memories spent with cousins at Woodpecker Bay?

Keith Hoggarth
my Grandmother (May Buckman) had a batch there during the 1960‘S, catching herring for crayfish bait was always fun, then off to seal island at low tide to bob for crays

Keith Hoggarth
very sad to see it gone

Colleen Yee
Just when was it finally removed and who by? has the story of the end of this bridge's life been recorded in any newspapers?

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Fox RIver bridge removed December 2025

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