Nature lovers can anticipate enjoying the railway trail along Shelly Bay by next spring after the Department of Parks received planning approval to build a bridge there.

The bridge, costing an estimated $300,000, will reconnect the trail between Stonehaven Road and Shelly Bay.

The aluminium structure will be constructed by Sousa's Landscape Management, the firm which won the bid for the contract earlier this year.

“Now that we have permission, we can issue a final order for the bridge structure,” said senior superintendent Martin Brown. He added it would not arrive on the Island for at least another twelve weeks, with the hope of work commencing sometime in November.

Using the existing contours created by the original railway trail, the building of the bridge will hardly disturb the natural setting as 98 percent of the mature vegetation will be retained, Mr.Brown told The Royal Gazette.

In other planning news, Rachel Enterprises, operated by former Islandwide security boss Bill Black, received approval in principle to construct a five storey office complex on King Street in Hamilton. What Mr. Black's plans are for the completed subject are sketchy at this time as he is off the Island and unavailable for comment.

A Sandy's resident received approval from the Department of Planning to covert her home into a residential facility for the elderly.

Mrs. Sylvia Ellis intends to open a rest home, which will also offer senior day care services and a life style counselling centre.

The maximum number of persons allowed to participate in the day care programme is ten, while the most which can live at the residence are eight.