Pedestrians may get a break when the Rick Hopkins Memorial Bridge on Hwy. 6 at the south end of Mount Forest is closed for three months later this year.
In a letter of Wellington North council, resident Margaret Reid explains that she and others in her neighbourhood do not drive, and the closure will add 2 km to her walk to work.
Walking the longer bypass route could also be dangerous for youngsters going to the town pool in the summer.
Wellington North Council was sympathetic to the concerns.
It has asked for a feasibility study and costing before deciding if it's possible to keep the bridge open to pedestrians during construction.