Louth councillor slams ‘default response from the council’ after Boyne river footbridge proposal shot down
A Louth councillor has criticised what he described as a “default response from the council” after a proposal to explore a new pedestrian footbridge over the River Boyne was dismissed.
The Obelisk bridge, which underwent major upgrade works in recent years, carries significant volumes of traffic daily. However, councillors heard that despite these improvements, the crossing remains hazardous for pedestrians.
Cllr. Pio Smith tabled a motion at the latest meeting of Drogheda Borough District where he highlighted the “significant pedestrian movements and vehicle traffic across the Obelisk Bridge at Oldbridge.”
“The narrow road network at this location is used by cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles, and many people feel very uneasy travelling this route.”
He asked the council to consider constructing a new footbridge at Oldbridge. which he said “could either be a stand-alone facility or attached to the Obelisk Bridge.”
People are taking their lives in their hands when they walk across the Obelisk Bridge towards Oldbridge House
In response, David Jones, Director of Major Capital Projects and Infrastructure Delivery, said the council acknowledges the rationale of the proposal and noted that a high-level assessment has been carried out.
“Unfortunately, there are a number of constraints to the development of such a piece of infrastructure at this location, including those associated with being located within a Special Conservation Area, Special Protection Area as well as a Special Area of High Scenic Quality, while the Obelisk Bridge is both a protected structure and a recorded National Monument, thus prohibiting any physical alterations to the structure.”
He added that the absence of pedestrian/cycling infrastructure in the adjoining road network “would also highlight road safety concerns in the context of pedestrians transitioning from what would be a dedicated space to the current shared rural local network arrangement.”
These “limiting factors” would have a significant impact on overall project feasibility,” said Mr. Jones.
But Cllr. Smith criticised what he saw as “the default response from the council”. He said the local authority had taken the view that “it is too difficult” and noted the response had listed “all the reasons why it can’t be done.”
He referred to the world-famous footbridge at the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim, and a bridge built at a location in Carrick-on-Shannon which he felt was comparable to Oldbridge.
“The Giant’s Causeway, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and other places can do these things, but invariably we get the response that there’s all these reasons why it can’t be considered. I just find it extraordinary,” said Cllr. Smith.
He added that he was prepared to resubmit his motion in an attempt to “get a different response” from the council.
“I would like a different answer, I would like to hear that we will explore what can be done, and what can’t be done. I just don’t think this is good enough.”
He told the meeting that the current situation for pedestrians at the bridge was unsafe. “People are taking their lives in their hands when they walk across the Obelisk Bridge towards Oldbridge House.”
Cllr Paddy McQuillan added: “This is just common sense really. I remember when the bridge was being done we asked for a pedestrian lane across the bridge and we were told it couldn’t be done because it is a health and safety issue.”
But, the reality is that “people are walking across that bridge every week in their hundreds, it is a very busy bridge,” said Cllr. McQuillan. “A path would be common sense, we have to look and see is there any way this can be done.”
Speaking at the meeting the council’s director said he couldn’t accept that it was a “default response.”
He added that the merits of the project were acknowledged, but the limiting factors also had to be outlined.
“It’s not saying that we won’t look at it, it’s not saying that it’ll never happen” he said, highlighting the importance of looking at the challenges the project would face.
Cllr. Eric Donovan said it was a “no-brainer” as “this is an exceptionally busy bridge which is very popular with walkers.”
“It beggars belief there hasn’t been serious accidents in that area.”
He said there was an “urgent need” for a suitable access point for pedestrians to this area.