Works at Kilshanny bridge due in new year
Safety works for pedestrians are due to begin on Kilshanny bridge, on the Clonmel Road in Mitchelstown, in the new year.
Senior Engineer for the Cork County Council, Brendan O’Gorman stated in October that the local authority are happy to look at installing safety measures, however, that the bridge is too narrow to install a footpath.
The 18th century bridge spans the Gradogue River. Cllr Deirdre O’Brien raised the issue of upgrading the bridge earlier this year, and the possibility of an ‘overhang’ solution was posited, an adjoining walkway that would leave the bridge intact, but allow for people to walk in a ‘cage-like’ structure outside of the bridge. However, Mr O’Gorman said that that could be a capital-investment heavy resolution, as it would involve the purchase of private property from landowners.
He did, however, say that the council could look at doing some red surfacing on the bridge, to alert motorists to the presence of pedestrians. He was supportive of works at the location.
In November the issue was raised again by Cllr Frank O’Flynn, who claimed that the wall had been breached along the road and fallen in.
Mr O’Gorman reiterated that works will take place at Kilshanny bridge in 2022. Details of what the project will look like remain to be seen.