replaced. Maybe dealing with the bridge is going to be Bermuda's first major capital outlay after Kindley Field is returned and Bermuda will then find out just how much we have been saving at the expense of the United States.

While it is true that the bridge has failed in the past, it seems rather odd that the bridge should become temperamental just as Bermuda is working on the return of the bases. Human error or electrical failure, the result is the same.

At first glance the failure of the bridge to close is very annoying for those trying to get back and forth. Bridge failure can also be a great nuisance for departing visitors who are stuck in sight of the Airport but unable to catch their plane. Running with baggage and being ferried across in willing boats is not the ideal last impression of a Bermuda holiday.

But a failure by Longbird Bridge is a good deal more important. Bermuda does not have duplicate facilities at the ends of the Island and an open bridge effectively cuts off the East End from centrally located facilities, especially emergency facilities. The truth is that the Swing Bridge also does not appear to be in very good condition.

It is true that St. George's has a town fire brigade which is both ready and willing to do its job but an open bridge prevents such things as ambulance access. In any case, it is hard to imagine what would happen if Bermuda had a major crisis or a personal tragedy at the East End coincidental with a stuck bridge. That has not yet happened but it is bound to happen one day.

The United Bermuda Party is constantly accused of treating the Town of St.

George's and the East End badly. Such perceived neglect has turned St.

George's North from a safe UBP seat into a PLP stronghold and St. George's South into a questionable UBP seat.

It would be relatively easy to replace Longbird Bridge with a low permanent bridge but the problem is freedom of boat access between Ferry Reach and Castle Harbour. The number of boats on Bermuda's waters is huge and a fair number of local and visiting boats go back and forth through the East End bridges. It is unlikely that boat owners would be happy if they had to go outside in order to reach either the North Shore and Hamilton or Castle Harbour from St. George's Harbour.

The East End bridge system may be a growing problem. There are people who feel that there should be another access to the East End in case, for whatever reason, a bridge cannot be used. A recent accident on The Causeway has made some people wonder just how strong The Causeway is and whether it would survive a bad hurricane.

It may be that both bridges will have to be replaced in a relatively short period of time which will be a huge expense. Bridges of the height of Watford Bridge, to which the Minister of Works is giving tentative consideration, would allow a good deal of access but not to higher boats or to masted boats.

Even then, two new bridges would not please those who think there should be an alternative access to St. George's in case a bridge cannot be used for whatever reason.

If only the United States had fulfilled its promise of a Coney Island to Ferry Point bridge.......