We can’t be waiting for bridges to fall to get money to fix them.
That’s according to independent councillor Jackie Healy-Rae, who was speaking at the recent meeting of Castleisland-Corca Dhuibhne MD.
He tabled a motion asking what funding was going to be made available for bridge repairs in the Municipal District.
Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae praised the council for their quick response in fixing a bridge in Tullig, Castleisland recently after its parapet collapsed.
However, he says the council is in danger of having to do similar around the area if action isn’t taken soon.
Cllr Healy-Rae outlined that council engineers have compiled a list of bridges in the municipal district that need attention, adding the council must act.
In response Kerry County Council advised it’s received Department of Transport funding under the Bridge Rehabilitation Programme, of €930,000.
It says there is a set programme of works under this scheme, but it is liaising with the department and should funding become available it will be redirected to repair works across the county.
Responding, Cllr Healy-Rae said if the €930,000 was spent on the bridge works list compiled, the council would have change out of it.
The motion was seconded by independent councillor, Charlie Farrelly.
Fianna Fáil councillor Fionnán Fitzgerald echoed the pleas for further funding.
He asked the council to write to the department seeking funding to maintain and repair bridges on an ongoing basis.
