Challenge: Can historic Kilkenny bridge 'squeeze' in an extra foot of roadway?

Street lighting and ‘even a foot’ of extra road space would improve road safety at a historic Kilkenny bridge.

Ferrymountgarret Bridge, linking south Kilkenny with Co. Wexford, was granted €200,000 in funding earlier this year to improve the area. At the recent Callan Thomastown Municipal District meeting councillors were given an update on plans.

Cllr Michael Doyle said it is “an extremely busy junction” on the main road to Rosslare and used by those working in Wexford, New Ross and Waterford.

He said the junction is very dark and the width of the road very narrow. “I’m not sure anything can be done about that but if we could even get an extra foot by squeezing in the railings it would be a help,” he said.

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Area Engineer Declan Murphy said consultants have been engaged for the project and are scheduled to attend the next meeting of the municipal district councillors to give a presentation.

Lighting on the bridge has already been requested, as part of the project, Mr Murphy said, and they will be looking at the junction.

As the junction is on the Wexford side of the bridge they will have to liaise with Wexford County Council.

Ferrymountgarret Bridge is a protected structure, Mr Murphy pointed out, so consultants will have to look at what can be done, if anything, to widen the roadway.