Children forced to cross river to reach school as bridge remains closed in Tipperary
Residents say children are using unsafe river crossing as Killonerry Bridge remains closed due to structural damage
Children are being forced to cross a river to reach school due to safety concerns at a permanently closed bridge in South Tipperary, a council meeting has heard.
At the June monthly meeting of the Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District, Sinn Féin councillor David Dunne requested an update on works required at Killonerry Bridge, which remains fenced off due to severe structural damage.
Councillor Dunne said he had been contacted by local residents concerned about the situation.
“I’m getting contacted by residents living near the bridge whose kids are walking across the river to reach school, because it’s not safe enough to use the bridge,” he told the meeting.
District engineer Michael Scully confirmed that the council is exploring a joint application between both Tipperary and Kilkenny County Councils.
He said proposals had been examined and the next step would be preparing a planning application.
“Unfortunately it’s not a bridge that’s going to be fixed this year,” he said. “It will be next year at the earliest until that job is commenced.”
The bridge has been closed and fenced off since December for safety reasons due to significant structural damage, leaving residents to rely on alternative and potentially hazardous crossing points, including the nearby river.