A cable stay bridge will be built parallel to the Buller Street bridge to provide a much-needed safer pedestrian link between the town centre and the foreshore towards Westport Park.

The existing pedestrian access consists of a narrow footpath on either side of the busy Buller Street bridge.

Councillors favoured a cable stay bridge downstream of the existing bridge after an exhibition period which attracted almost 60 responses.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is seeking tender submissions from suitably experienced firms or people to complete the design and construction work.

The footbridge project is federally funded.

Tenders close on March 5.

The new bridge must be completed by August 30 under the terms of the grant offer.