Calls for pedestrian bridge in busy Limerick town amid ‘highly dangerous’ road

LIMERICK City and County Council is set to revisit plans to construct a pedestrian footbridge in Kilmallock amid a “highly dangerous” road in the area.

Sinn Féin councillor PJ Carey brought forward a motion on the topic at the February meeting of the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District.

The motion called for the local authority to revisit plans to design and provide costings for a pedestrian footbridge at Gotoon Bridge, Kilmallock.

Cllr Carey said that a similar motion had been passed four or five years ago but the council’s design for the bridge was opposed by local residents.

He continued by saying that a lot of work had gone into the design and it was “through no one’s fault” that the bridge is no safer now.

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He highlighted that a footbridge would likely cost hundreds of thousands of euro, so it was important to take the views of local residents on board.

Cllr Carey concluded by saying that the situation needs to be revisited because the current bridge used by cars is “highly dangerous” for pedestrians.

The Cathaoirleach, Fine Gael councillor Gregory Conway, described the situation as an “emergency” because of how busy the road is.

He added that local residents are “getting very anxious” and have been contacting him regarding the issue.

Meanwhile, independent councillor Eddie Ryan said that Irish Rail should be the ones funding the bridge, given the bridge crosses over railway tracks.

However, he called for the council to take action on the issue and to take time to consider what the community wants.

In a written response to the motion, Senior Executive Engineer Diarmuid Sheehy said that the plans for the bridge formed part of a wider scheme.

Mr Sheehy stated: “This forms part of a larger scheme in relation to public realm design for Kilmallock.

“The Active Travel department have advised that they will arrange for a full detailed survey to be undertaken on the bridge here to determine if alternative local design solutions can be arrived at in respect of this.

“A preliminary costing report has been compiled for the installation of a pedestrian bridge at this location.”

He concluded by saying that a workshop could also be arranged for councillors so that they could discuss the issue with the Active Travel department.

At the end of the discussion, Cllr Eddie Ryan again called for Irish Rail to be asked to address the situation.

Cllr Carey agreed with this suggestion, saying he wasn’t sure Irish Rail was ever asked when the footbridge was first proposed.

In response, Patricia Liddy, Director of Transportation, Mobility & Placemaking, said that the council has a good relationship with the railway company.

She added that the council would ask Irish Rail if it would be willing to examine the issue.