Fears that 'it could be years' before a popular Kilkenny route is restored
Killonerry pedestrian bridge over the River Lingaun on the Kilkenny/Tipperary border may not be replaced until at least 2027 as Kilkenny County Council seeks to expedite Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) funding application
It could be next year at the earliest before construction work begins on replacing the damaged Killonerry pedestrian bridge, despite earlier hopes that funding could be sought in the coming months.
The bridge, which spans the River Lingaun on the Kilkenny/Tipperary border, was badly damaged during recent flooding and will have to be replaced.
A recent district meeting heard that funding would be pursued through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) during the next call for applications, which was expected in Q2 of this year.
However, Area Engineer John Tennyson has since confirmed that the next ORIS application deadline is not until November.
Cllr Pat Dunphy expressed frustration at the projected timeline, asking: “What can we actually do [to expedite the project]?”
He noted that, with the funding application only due in November, followed by assessment and planning processes, “it could be a number of years” before the bridge is replaced.
Mr Tennyson responded that applying through ORIS “is the route we have to go”, adding that “it will be next year at the earliest before building can start”.
He also said he would contact the council’s parks team to see whether ORIS might accept an “intermediary application” that could potentially help advance the project sooner.