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Anger over ‘ugly’ crash barrier

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CLARE County Council has drawn the ire of a community group for installing an “ugly” crash barrier on a 15th century stone bridge.
The O’Briensbridge Community Group said they are “incensed, angry and outraged” that the stone bridge has been “defaced and vandalised” by the erection of what they termed an “obscene double tier crash barrier”.
Deputy Michael McNamara has also asked that Clare County Council remove this “ugly feature” and replace it with “something more suitable” in advance of the tourist season.
O’Briensbridge Community Group received a special endeavour award in 2011 at the Housing, Social and Cultural Services Directorate Awards, held as part of the council’s programme of sustaining positive and co-operative working relationships with local groups. Deputy McNamara claimed “this eyesore flies in the face of their efforts”.
“It seems incredible to me that on the same week as Fáilte Ireland and Waterways Ireland, in conjunction with Clare County Council, spent scarce resources on Discover Killaloe and Ballina…this unsightly crash barrier should be erected in the nearby waterside town of O’Briensbridge.
“The barrier is something one would expect in the middle of a motorway and certainly not in the middle of a town that seeks to attract tourist revenue due to its heretofore picturesque appearance and setting,” he said.
In a statement to The Clare Champion, O’Briensbridge Community Group chairman, Mick Murtagh, claimed “This very offensive and ugly crash barrier is not appropriate to a 15th century heritage bridge”.
“The anger that is felt by our community is not helped by the fact that the community group made proposals for an appropriate crash barrier that would be environmentally friendly to the bridge and its heritage.
“We even furnished photographs of log enclosed crash barriers that are used up and down the country in heritage and scenic situations and locations. These barriers are a few euro dearer but are warranted and would be justified in our situation,” he added.
Mr Murtagh claimed the council could have provided a timber-cladded barrier similar to that at the Lookout Amenity Area between Ballina and Portroe in North Tipperary.
He claimed the former senior executive engineer for the Killaloe Electoral Area, Seán Lenihan, had accepted this and pledged the group would be fully involved in any proposal in relation to the crash barrier and for the restoration of the heritage wall that was knocked in a freak accident.
“We also proposed a ‘Welcome to County Clare’ sign that would be attractive but also highly visible to be placed where this wall was demolished. It’s important to also note that all of the village maintenance in O’Briensbridge is carried out by our community group and at our expense and because of this, the log barriers with extra costs are justified,” he said.
However, Killaloe Electoral Area senior executive engineer, Hugh McGrath, pointed out the barriers are not on the main bridge but on the approach ramp.
“Due to the constrictive nature of the approach and the limited width available on the bridge, on a regular basis in recent years large trucks have damaged this wall in attempting to negotiate passage onto the bridge. For this reason Clare County Council have installed safety barriers.
In selecting the material type for the barrier, Mr McGrath noted that although consideration was given to the heritage at the location, “We were guided primarily by safety and durability of the installation. The issue was also discussed and agreed with the council’s heritage officer.
“As space was an issue, timber cladding would not be appropriate We had to optimise the space available to reduce the possibility of further impacts.”
He also noted that the installation will not prevent signage from being erected at the location, “provided we are satisfied that it is appropriate and meets national guidelines”.
He concluded that the council, “greatly appreciates the voluntary works carried out by community organisations and we are always eager to assist in whatever way we can albeit that we have limited resources available”.

 

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