Kilkenny people warned that bridge 'is not safe to use' and likely to be condemned

Kilkenny County Council officials have warned that the Killonerry pedestrian bridge over the River Lingaun is likely to be condemned and could ultimately have to be removed, after recent flooding caused serious structural movement.

The bridge, which links counties Kilkenny and Tipperary and is used regularly by locals walking into Carrick-on-Suir, has become a “significant health and safety issue”, councillors were informed at this month’s meeting of Piltown Municipal District.

Area Engineer John Tennyson stated that the structure is not recorded on Kilkenny County Council’s database and that Tipperary County Council also has no formal record of it.

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“It’s essentially one half in Kilkenny, one half in Tipperary,” he explained.

However, staff have since located some archived documentation indicating the bridge was originally constructed in the 1930s.

Mr Tennyson also referenced a joint application made in 1964 for an additional bridge beside the existing pedestrian bridge, involving Kilkenny County Council and Carrick Urban Council.

That scheme was ultimately not approved by the Government at the time.

He told the meeting that the centre pier and bridge deck shifted during recent floods, with the pier reported to have “sheared”.

A visual survey has already been carried out, and an independent structural assessment is now being considered. The expectation, he said, is that the bridge will be condemned.

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“There is evidence of people using the bridge, and this is a significant health and safety issue,” Mr Tennyson said, adding that the bridge is “not safe to use”.

In the short term, councillors were told that measures will be taken to secure the bridge, although any works will be subject to environmental consents.

Mr Tennyson said any further action would have to be undertaken as a joint venture between Kilkenny County Council and Tipperary County Council.

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A joint application for funding is expected, but he cautioned that “significant funding” would be required and that the councils will need to establish what funding stream may be available.

Cllr Pat Dunphy said he would not support the bridge being removed however Mr Tennyson said that if the structural assessment confirms the bridge is condemned, it would have to be taken down.

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