Uniting to overcome bridge problems

Neighbouring communities in Co Clare and Co Tipperary have joined forces to overcome chronic traffic problems caused by the narrow 18th century bridge connecting Killaloe to Ballina.

The 13-arch bridge is only 4.8 metres wide in places, (Dublin's Ha'penny Bridge is 3.8 metres wide). It is the main crossing point on the Shannon between the Co Galway town of Portumna and Limerick city.

Built to accommodate the horse and cart, the bridge is now being used by commercial traffic accessing Dublin or the west coast. According to Mr Oliver Kierse of the recently formed Killaloe-Ballina Action Group (KBAG), "when two articulated trucks face each other from either end of the bridge, there is chaos and the tailbacks can last up to 40 minutes".

A KBAG initiative aims to solve traffic problems through the drawing up of a joint development plan for towns. The chairman of KBAG, Mr John Kelly, said yesterday that there would be a resolution to this issue. Recently, the widening of the existing bridge was seen as an option for solving the problem, much to the anger of conservation groups. However, Clare county engineer Mr Tom Carey told this month's meeting of the council that the widening proposal was not an option as the bridge was too important from a historic and architectural point of view.

He said one suggestion was to construct a new bridge a short distance from the existing one and allow one-way traffic on each. Any new bridge would need new approach roads, with the attendant costs and environmental impact studies.

A number of suggestions will be examined in the joint development plan process, being sponsored by Clare County Council and Tipperary North Riding Council, which are leading the project. UCD's planning department and traffic consultants are also to participate.

Mr Kierse said the joint development plan - which will be completed in less than 12 months - would provide evidence for the Government that a second bridge is required.

Project manager Mr Paddy Heffernan of Tipperary NR Council said yesterday that a draft traffic report would be published in September. The chairman of Clare County Council, Cllr Sean Hillery, said yesterday: "The political will hasn't been there, but the provision of a new bridge has to be made now.

"It will open all of east Clare to tourism. If the National Roads Authority does not provide the money, the two councils will have to do it."