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Lismore Bridge before it was repaired. It was described as a serious health and safety issue by local Councillors this week. Photo: Eoin Scanlon

The recent damage to Lismore Bridge created a serious health and safety risk to the public for over two months, the Mayor of the City and County of Waterford said this week.

Speaking at the May meeting of Dungarvan/Lismore District Council, Cllr James Tobin attacked the negligent work of the National Roads Authority (NRA) for leaving the bridge in a dangerous state.

“The NRA left a health and safety risk for over two months in Lismore, when the bridge was knocked down. It’s a tourist town, a busy place where children are out walking, and it’s not right that the NRA would wash their hands and take no responsibility for something that is extremely dangerous for over two months.

“The public out there thought, and still think, that was the Council’s responsibility. They were blaming the Council for not doing it. The NRA put a barrier in front of it, and when they came to see what they would do with it, they shifted the barricade down to the side of the road. They left it open completely and walked away,” he said.

To add insult to injury, fellow councillor, Declan Doocey, added the bridge was repaired in a day and a half last week. “I was afraid of my life a child would run down there with a bike and go in over it. There’s about a 15 to 20 foot drop there.”

As reported in The Avondhu last week, Cllr Doocey reiterated that it was an opportunity to redesign and widen the bridge, which has now been lost.

In response, Senior Engineer Pat McCarthy said the Council raised the matter with the NRA and continued to do so until the repairs were carried out.

“We’re not allowed to carry out such works, we don’t have a budget for it so we’re totally reliant for the structures section there to set a budget and come and repair it.

“I do understand that that area is subject to other studies on our behalf and there are a number of issues there we hope will be looked at over the next few years.”

Mr McCarthy added that there is a possibility that a pedestrian crossing will be added in the vicinity of Lismore Bridge, and with regards to widening the bridge, they will pursue any possible development with the NRA.

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