As reported in recent weeks, Killonerry Bridge which connects Piltown and Carrick-on-Suir was deemed unsafe after suffering structural damage during flooding in November.
The February meeting for the Council’s Piltown Municipal District heard that pedestrians continue to use the bridge, despite physical warning signs and widespread statements from the Council urging the public to stay away.
Speaking at the meeting, Area Engineer, John Tennyson, explained that the bridge had suffered even more damage, this would mean the Council had to take measures to prioritise public safety.
Cllr. Pat Dunphy had asked for an update, having previously appealed for the bridge to be preserved. Mr John Tenyson gave a plain assessment of the situation.
“no update in terms of funding,” Tennyson explained. “All I can say is that the bridge was due to be secure on both sides but since our last meeting the centre pier has completely been washed away. The bridge has collapsed in the centre.”
“On the Tipperary side I think it will be fenced off, on the Kilkenny side the bridge will need to be taken down, and that’s going to happen as soon as possible because there is an inherent health and safety risk there,” explained Mr Tennyson.
Cllr. Dunphy then asked where the funding for the rebuild would come from.
“The short term here is to secure the bridge,” said Mr Tennyson. “That [funding] hasn’t been discussed yet.
“What we believe is that people are still using it. The priority at the moment is to secure the bridge, both local authorities are engaging in that. The funding application will happen very soon, once the bridge is secure.”
AARON KENT
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
