Popular tourism bridge in south Wicklow facing summer of closure as storm damage repairs delayed

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

The future of the Samuel Hayes Bridge remains uncertain as Wicklow County Council confirmed that repair works cannot proceed, despite growing pressure from local representatives.

The bridge, which crosses the Avonmore River and connects Rathdrum with the popular Hidden Valley Holiday Park, has been closed since Storm Chandra caused significant structural damage in January.

Its continued closure is now raising serious concerns for the upcoming summer season, with councillors Warren O’Toole and Pat Kennedy seeking clarity from council officials on when the vital link might reopen.

At the meeting, both councillors pressed for a detailed update, noting that the bridge is not only a functional crossing, but a key part of the region’s outdoor tourism network. Thousands of visitors use the bridge each year to access walking routes, local services, and the wider Rathdrum area.

Its closure has disrupted established visitor patterns and created logistical challenges for businesses that depend on steady footfall during the peak months. The councillors argued that the community deserves a clear timeline, especially as the summer season approaches and bookings increase.

In response, council officials confirmed that consultant engineers had completed a full structural assessment of the bridge and identified the remedial works required to make it safe for public use. They explained that the council had met with the engineers, who are now preparing a tender for the necessary works.

However, the process has stalled because the engineers are still awaiting technical information from the original bridge designers.

Without this data, the tender documents cannot be finalised, and without a tender, no contractor can be appointed.

The council stated that the tender would be issued as soon as the information is received, but no timeline was provided, leaving councillors and the public uncertain about whether the bridge can realistically reopen before the summer season.

Samuel Hayes Suspension Bridge in Rathdrum. © Wicklow County Council

Following the council meeting, Wicklow Wexford TD Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin issued a public statement calling for urgent action on the bridge, emphasising its importance to the local economy and the wider tourism offering in south Wicklow.

He described the Samuel Hayes Bridge as a critical link for adventure tourism and said he had contacted Wicklow County Council seeking updates and urging that the bridge be prioritised for repair ahead of the summer season.

In his statement, he also referenced the ongoing closure of the Arklow South Beach walkway, describing it as one of Arklow’s most valuable natural assets, and stressing that both issues must be addressed promptly to protect the region’s tourism economy.

His intervention has added political weight to the concerns raised by councillors O’Toole and Kennedy, signalling that the matter is now firmly in the public spotlight.

The future of the Samuel Hayes Bridge hinges on when the outstanding technical information is provided.

Once received, the tender can be issued, contractors appointed, and works scheduled. Until then, the bridge remains closed, and the community remains in limbo.