Kerry County Councillor says time taken to repair Kilgarvan bridge is beyond a joke

A Kerry County Councillor says the amount of time it's taking to repair a bridge in Kilgarvan is beyond a joke.

At the recent Kenmare Municipal District meeting, Cllr Johnny Healy-Rae said it's reckless that the repair of Gort bridge will likely take another 12 months.

Cllr Healy-Rae's question on the matter followed a request from Cllr Dan McCarthy for an update on the works to the bridge.

In reply to Cllrs Healy-Rae and McCarthy, Kerry County Council said the structural engineering consultants are currently completing the design process for the replacement structure at Gort bridge.

The reply added that tender documentation for the reconstruction of the bridge will be issued in mid-March, while work is scheduled to commence in June.

Cllr Dan McCarthy added locals are getting frustrated at the amount of time the job is taking.

Cllr Healy-Rae criticised the council's response, and claimed there's a fortnight of work in it, as the bridge is over a stream, not a river.

Kerry County Council replied that although it is not over a big river, the job is totally different to a simple repair.

The council said once it needs to replace a structure, it enters into a full process which is bound by legislation.

It agreed with Cllr Healy-Rae's estimation that this will end up taking 12 months, and it's difficult to shorten that time frame.