Kildare County Council says that repairs for damaged bridge will go out to tender soon

Repair works for a damaged bridge is due to go out to tender soon, Kildare County Council (KCC) has said.

KCC was asked by the Leinster Leader about its plans for the Garr Bridge, also known locally as the 'Waterhens' Bridge, in Ballindoolin, after a local resident voiced concerns about it to the Leader.

The resident added that he enquired about the matter with one local councillor, Brendan Wyse, who is aligned with Fine Gael.

Photograph supplied.

When asked about the matter, Cllr Wyse provided a response that he received from KCC (specifically, the council's Bridges Team in the Transport and Mobility Department) in relation to the matter: "This bridge has been identified by the bridge remediation team.

"It forms part of a list of eight bridges that has been given to a consultant on our framework who are currently working on a design package.

"It is expected that this pack of bridges, which will include this bridge in Ballindoolin, Clogharinka, will go out to tender in the second half of this year, with works potentially been carried out towards the end of this year or the first half of next year."

When asked directly by the Leinster Leader about the plans for the bridge, KCC backed up its response to Cllr Wyse: "Kildare County Council are aware of the condition of this bridge (Garr Bridge on the L5009), and it is currently on a list of bridges for remediation works.

"It has been inspected and surveyed by our consulting engineer."

"We hope to have design drawings later this year with a view to commencing construction works towards the latter part of 2024 or early 2025," KCC concluded.

RESIDENT'S VIEWS

The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, explained to the Leinster Leader that the bridge is in a damaged and 'ungainly' state.

He said: "The bridge was built back when there wasn't a shilling in the country.

"It was hit by something, possibly a vehicle, around 25 years ago and this visibly damaged it."

The resident continued: "It's shocking to see it the way it is, it's not right, especially since the people are paying property tax (to KCC).

"There is no need for it (to be in such a state) in this day and age, after all, we live in one of the richest countries in Europe.

"I just want to raise awareness about this issue, because accidents could happen to anyone (there) and it's ungainly, on top of everything else," he concluded.