Plea for derogation to allow Callan bridge works be completed

Planned works to clear the eye of the bridge in Callan have been held up by high water levels, following one of the wettest Septembers on record.

Local councillors were told why the work had not yet taken place at the October meeting of Callan Thomastown Municipal District representatives. The work was originally due to be carried out in September. 

Area Engineer, Declan Murphy explained the water levels were too high to work on the eye clearing, but trees were removed from the silt islands in the river. Mr Murphy said that if the works are not completed by the end of October they will have to be deferred.

Cllr Joe Lyon said he knew the weather was against them, but asked if special permission could be obtained to continue the work into November. After the postponement of the main Bridge Street active travel scheme it would be terrible to lose the chance to get the work done on the eye of the bridge.

Callan pedestrian crossing works 'ready to go'

Mr Murphy said they had looked for a derogation order until the end of October but he would talk to the county council engineer with responsibility for bridges to see what could be done. 

Consultation had to take place with Inland Fisheries Ireland, on environmental considerations, before permission was given for work to be carried out in August or September. That was then extended into October when the weather prevented work being done.