Tipperary council urged to fight plan to remove half of Carrick-on-Suir river footbridge

Kilkenny County Council plans to remove half of a footbridge over the Lingaun River at Tinvane, Carrick-on-Suir that has been closed since December as it’s unsafe for public use, it was revealed at Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District’s monthly meeting.

District Engineer for Carrick MD Michael Scully informed councillors the neighbouring local authority has informally told Tipperary County Council it intends to remove the half of the pedestrian bridge it deems to be in its area when the weather improves.

He reported that Tipperary County Council has separately instructed a contractor to install more permanent gates and fencing at the bridge on its side of the Lingaun River to make it safer. He pointed out the council has received anecdotal reports that people are still crossing the bridge despite its condition.

“We have a contractor coming in the next week or so to put in the gates,” he said in response to Carrick MD Cathaoirleach Cllr David Dunne who requested an update on the bridge.

At the district’s January meeting, Cllr Dunne had called for the bridge to be repaired and reopened as soon as possible and Mr Scully had given an assurance that Tipperary County Council would put pressure on Kilkenny County Council to do so.

Mr Scully told the district’s councillors at their March 5 meeting, that Kilkenny County Council accepted responsibility for the bridge’s maintenance at a previous joint meeting of Carrick and Piltown Municipal Districts but now it seems to want a joint solution. He had seen the minutes of that meeting.

Carrick Fianna Fáil Cllr Kieran Bourke said he was very concerned to hear of Kilkenny County Council's plan to remove half the bridge.

“That bridge is very much part of Carrick-on-Suir. It’s in an area people go for walks. It’s a huge part of tourism in the town. I think we as a local authority need to fight that tooth and nail,” he declared.

He agreed with Mr Scully that Kilkenny County Council previously accepted full responsibility for the bridge as he recalled being told this “in not uncertain terms” by a former Carrick town engineer.

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