A bridge too far - and €2 million too much? Carrick councillors reject plan for Leitrim bridge

The councillors of Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District are standing firm in their demand for a cantilever bridge for Rooskey.

At a meeting of the Municipal District on Monday, May 12, members unanimously rejected the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) recommendation of the shuttle system that was trialled in the village last October.

The two week trial was met with fierce backlash from locals, who raised concerns about safety and delays caused by the temporary traffic light set up.

There were three options for Rooskey bridge: the first was the trialled shuttle system, with an estimated cost of €478,000; the second was widening the existing bridge and adding a cantilever extension, estimated at just over €2 million; and the third was the construction of a brand new pedestrian bridge, with a cost estimate of almost €3.6 million.

The shuttle system was chosen as the preferred option by the NTA due to low cost and minimal impact on the environment and heritage.

The system would operate one-way traffic across Rooskey bridge, controlled by traffic lights, and allow for the construction of a 1.9 metre wide footpath.

Alan Brown, Associate Director of Sustainable Infrastructure in Fehily Timoney, presented findings from the trial to the councillors.

According to the data, average queue lengths during peak hours (7am-10am and 4pm-7pm) were 8.9 cars, with delays averaging just under two minutes.

Of 639 respondents in a public feedback survey, a striking 84 percent were not in favour of the system.

While public feedback clearly showed Rooskey residents opposed the shuttle system, the NTA deemed the trial a success because it aligns with their goals.

The NTA’s Active Travel programme aims to shift focus away from car travel. From the NTA’s perspective, a few minute wait in a vehicle is a small price to pay for increased pedestrian safety.

Leitrim councillors slam NTA’s ‘success’ claim on Rooskey Bridge Trial

Members of Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District remain firm in their belief that a cantilever bridge is the one and only option for Rooskey.

Their emphasis is on vulnerable road users - and in that light, the shuttle system was a “success,” even if residents deemed otherwise.

“We’re not moving from this cantilever bridge,” Cllr Sean McGowan said, who argued it was the safest option and best suited to the river traffic on the Shannon.

Councillors were warned, however, that if they reject the shuttle system, the NTA is very unlikely to fund a cantilever bridge.

“If you decide we don’t wish for this then we can’t go back to the NTA. The project will die and we’ll have to look at some other funding,” said Justin Fannon, Economic Development, Regeneration, Sustainable Transport and Emergency Services.

Cllr Enda Stenson argued that, compared to the long-term benefit, the cantilever bridge wasn’t prohibitively expensive: “It isn’t hugely expensive for what would be an ever-lasting safe option.”

Cllr Cormac Flynn proposed that the shuttle system option not be pursued, which was seconded by Cllr Maeve Reynolds.

When warned that this decision would close the door on Active Travel funding, Cllr Reynolds said: “It’s better to close the door on something that is not a runner and is a less good option than what we have at the minute."

“We can’t spend any more time using resources, money on something that we’ve clearly said from the beginning is not a runner, and this needs to end now and we need to start looking at alternatives,” she added.

Now, it’s up to the councillors of Boyle Municipal District to decide whether or not to approve the shuttle system. If they follow Carrick’s lead - and signs suggest they might - then Rooskey bridge may be left as is, with no clear action in sight.

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