Concern over lack of North Tipp input to resurfacing

CONCERN has been expressed that resurfacing works will only take place on the Clare side of the bridge at Ballina and Killaloe.

Councillors on both sides of the river expressed disappointment that North Tipperary County Council has made no provision in its estimates to carry out repairs on its side of the bridge this year.
Clare County Council has set aside €18,000 to resurface the Clare side of the crossing, which may be carried out later this month.
North Tipperary County Councillor, Phyll Bugler told a recent joint meeting of the Killaloe and Newport Electoral Areas there are major dips on all sides of the bridge, which requires tarmac.
Councillor Bugler claimed the surface is not level because of all the heavy goods vehicles using the crossing and felt that €18,000 is a very small amount for the work that needs to be completed.
She pointed out that an area known as Between the Waters and other sections of the bridge require a lot of attention and needed to be upgraded.
“The bridge is an important crossing linking Ballina and Killaloe. Tourism is the main business in the two towns. When there is a small bit of rain, the dips on the bridge fill up and pedestrians walking on the bridge get drenched.
North Tipperary County Councillor, Johnathan Meaney asked if North Tipp Council is in a position to carry out some work while his colleague, John Carroll, wondered if the bridge is structurally sound.
“A lot of loose grit and gravel falls down on people under the bridge when heavy goods vehicles make the crossing,” he noted.
North Tipperary senior executive engineer, Michael F Hayes confirmed the council hadn’t provided any money for resurfacing works in the current year.
“A structural survey was completed by O’Donovan and Roughan Engineers who are happy with the structure. There are no faults on the bridge. Maintenance works need to be carried out on the surface but structurally, there isn’t any issue,” he said.
Councillor Joe Cooney asked if there would be a traffic management plan put in place when the work is being carried out and was told it would involve the closure of the bridge for a period.
Clare County Council senior executive officer, Michael McNamara said he wasn’t aware of the traffic management arrangements, which prompted Councillor Cooney to stress that people should be given advance notice of any bridge closure.
Councillor Cathal Crowe asked if this work could be carried out at night but was informed this would cause health and safety issues for council staff.
Councillor Pat Burke expressed disappointment that there wasn’t more co-operation between the two councils to ensure that the whole bridge was resurfaced.
Local Electoral Area chairman, Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald agreed that public representatives and members of the public should be given proper notification of any bridge closure.
Meanwhile, Councillor Phyll Bugler proposed the council should write to the ESB requesting more visually appealing lights under the historic arches of the bridge.
Councillor Cathal Crowe said he understood that local traders are looking at the provision of more appropriate lighting.
However, Councillor Bugler pointed out local businesses do not have the funding to provide these lights and stressed that new lighting is needed to enhance the overall character of the bridge.