Works begin on Co Kilkenny bridge after long wait

The long awaited works to clear the eyes of the bridge over the King’s River in Callan have begun.

Phase one of the works got underway last week with silt being removed both upstream and downstream of the bridge. Rock armour was also put in place upstream of the bridge.

The next phase of the project will see the removal of the sandunes and shrubbery.

The commencement of the works have been widely welcomed by the local community and councillors after years of calling on Kilkenny County Council to take action in a saga lasting over three years.

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Initially, both the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Kilkenny County Council maintained the other was responsible for the works bill.

In July 2023, works to clear the eyes of the bridge were given the go ahead by Inland Fisheries Ireland but were subsequently postponed due to high water levels, following one of the wettest Septembers on record last year.

However, the latest positive development was welcomed by councillors at the most recent Callan-Thomastown Municipal District Meeting.

Cllr Joe Lyons thanked everyone involved, stating it was a 'long journey' from seeking the work to it being approved and now completed, but "people were never as happy" to see the work starting.

Meanwhile, Area Engineer, Declan Murphy praised the contractors involved in the project.