Carney riverbank needs reinforcing

Plans are underway to shore up the riverbank close to Carney Bridge.

The bridge itself is structurally sound but the upstream riverbank has been compromised by tree roots protruding through the old masonry wall and by water mains works some years ago.

“The riverbank is certainly not sound,” said Councillor Seamus Kilgannon, who raised the issue. “There is concern in the area that the bank is going to collapse. I agree the bridge itself is sound but the bank is not,” he told the meeting.

Senior Engineer Declan Noone said that the upstream riverbank was not in any risk of collapse.

The Council plans to protect it with retaining walls and/or gabion baskets along a port of the riverbank next to the Drumcliffe to Carney road. Designs and costings will be done in the next few months with the local Carney Bridge Restoration Group.