The extension passes over the disused Farrell Flat Road railway bridge at Clare’s north-eastern entrance.

The issue of the bridge has been a contentious one with Clare businessman Malcolm Heinrich, backed by other local transport operators keen to see it demolished to make an easier route into the town.

Arguing for the unused railway bridge’s removal, Mr Heinrich said it was a major traffic hazard and restricted trade into Clare from the eastern entrance.

Mr Heinrich is so keen to see the road improved that he offered to remove the bridge at his own cost.

Mr Heinrich, who has an industrial land development on the Farrell Flat Road said he had to purchase the adjacent former Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council depot in order to construct an alternative entry into the industry village.

“I didn’t know what was really happening with the bridge, but realised there wouldn’t be a compromise with it,” he said.

“I still believe it would be better off gone because it is bad for traffic. We did think they (Riesling Trail Committee) might have pulled the bridge down and built a metal arched walking bridge there.

“The bridge is not pretty and there are vehicles which simply can’t get under it, especially larger trucks and agricultural machinery.

“We just wanted to make it less of a hazard, even for the traffic which can use it,” said Mr Heinrich, who was disappointed at the outcome.

Riesling Trail Management Committee chairman Graham Mill said local contractor Clare Quarry would soon begin the laying of the trail in the rail corridor, north from Lennon Street to White Hut Road. Completion of an additional section to Hubbe Road is also likely.

Safety railing for the Farrell Flat road bridge has been designed by Mace Engineering Services and development approval is pending.

$100,000 funding for the extension has come from the SA Tourism Commission’s tourism development fund, a grant from Clare Valley Winemakers Inc and fundraising by the trail’s management committee.

Further enhancement of the trail and protection of its natural resources will come from a $5000 Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management Board grant. The grant follows a survey of the rail corridor from the Clare township to Hubbe Road by Department of Environment and heritage bush management adviser for the Northern and Yorke region, Jean Turner.

The grant will be used to establish and implement protocols and actions to protect and foster existing areas of native vegetation, planting of indigenous native flora and the provision of interpretive signage covering the natural resources of the region.

Close consultation with and support of adjoining landholders is important to the Riesling Trail Management committee and committee members would welcome any queries from them.

The committee has formed a small project coordinating team who can be contacted – Graham Mill (8842 2943), Peter Wood (8842 1123) and Robert Bartholomeaus (8842 2803).