Laois bridge used for Electric Picnic just temporary but new one planned

A bridge erected in Stradbally for the Electric Picnic was just temporary but the Laois host of the huge festival has lodged plans for a new permanent structure with Laois County Council.

Picnic revellers and workers used a bridge during the Picnic for improved access and exit from the Stadbally Hall estate that's owned by Thomas Cosby and his family.

A statement by engineers acting on behalf of Mr Cosby, who applied to the council to build a bridge over the Stradbally River after the Picnic, explained how the bridge used during the festival came to be used. 

"The two curtain sider trailer chassis that were put over the river were just a stop gap to cope with traffic over the Electric Picnic and is only suitable for cars and vans," said Mr Leslie Colton.

It continued: "The application lodged with Laois County Council is for a bridge which can carry vehicles 40 tonnes plus which requires large buttresses to take such loads and the reinforced concrete decking  600 mm deep, and all associated works," he said.

An application lodged with County Hall on August 22 said Mr Cosby wishes to construct a bridge 190 metres from the southern boundary of the property over the Stradbally River (Bauteogue River) and all necessary and associated site works.

It says a Natura Impact Statement (NIS), will be submitted to the Planning Authority in connection with the application," it said.

A letter submitted to the council by Mr Colton on behalf of Mr Cosby provides more details said that part of the reason for the bridge was a change of date of the Electric Picnic this year which caused problems for farmers on the Ballyroan and Portlaoise Roads as how to access the Malthouse in Stradbally.

It also said that the suppliers of the wind turbine blades to the proposed Cullenagh wind farm were looking for also looking for route through the woods.

The council were also told that the access from the Timahoe Road will be via the existing forestry road, but any bends will need a radius of 40 metres and the gradient of the road will be very restricted also due to the length of the transporting vehicles.

It said no mature trees will need to be removed and the majority of the trees that will need to be removed are Fir, Sally, Hazel, which did not thrive due to their vicinity to existing mature trees, lack of good daylight, rain, or groundwater. It added that the access roads would be constructed in as similar method to the forestry roads.

This representation was also contained in a June 2024 planning application for a bridge and road. It was withdrawn in June after being deemed incomplete by the council.

Mr Cosby was given conditional permission in April 2024 for a new pedestrian/service vehicle entrance/ in the boundary wall on the Cork Road, (R427) which is within the curtilage of a protected structure, Stradbally Hall.