FREMANTLE council wants WA Main Roads to hand over $250,000 in return for a grassed area to be surrendered for 12 months for traffic and rail bridge crash-proofing and repairs.

“We’re supportive of the project,” mayor Brad Pettitt says of plans to install buffer pylons and an early warning system to stop trains crossing if the bridge is damaged by a boat. “We are asking for a greater contribution because they are taking land off us for a period of 12 months.”

He says the council really wants one per cent of the project cost, which will be discussed further at a council meeting next week. The popular Kiosk cafe, whose owners have been discussing the works for months, loses half its parking bays along Beach Street.

The 1500sqm “laydown” area will take out most of the nearby grassed area and 45 bays in the East Street jetty carpark.

The bridge works follow a collision between a port vessel and the traffic bridge in 2011 when public and freight rail was held up for two days.

by CARMELO AMALFI