Trial pedestrianisation of Tipperary bridge to start on Monday
The trial pedestrianisation of a once busy bridge in a Tipperary tourist town is due to get under way this coming Monday.
The Old Killaloe-Ballina bridge between the towns of Killaloe in Clare and Ballina in Tipperary is set to be open to pedestrians only from Monday (July 28), on a trial basis which will run until October 17.
Tipperary County Council hope that the trial will allow residents and visitors to walk or cycle across the bridge without vehicles being present, and it is hoped that the trial will further strengthen the bond between Ballina and Killaloe.
The Old Bridge was the main link between both towns, often being the scene of traffic gridlock, especially during the summer season.
In May of this year, the new Brian Boru Bridge opened, bypassing Killaloe, and removing traffic from the centre of the twin towns.
The bridge took two and a half years to complete, and cost a total of €88million.
At the official opening of the new bridge, then-Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council Declan Burgess said that the new project will change the lives of residents in both towns.
"The completion of the Brian Ború bridge is a historic day for the people of Ballina and Killaloe. There can be no stronger symbol of the connection between the twin towns than Brian Boru, celebrated equally on both sides of the river.
"The finished scheme will remove traffic from the towns and allow them to fulfil their potential for both the existing residents and the many tourists that will be attracted to the area,” Cllr Burgess added.
The trial pedestrianisation of the Old Bridge will be in place from Monday, July 28 to Friday, October 17.